Chapter 3: The Forbidden Forest

A plethora of sounds echoed around like those of nocturnal ghosts screeching above Shadow as he navigated the twisting paths of the grey shadowed night. It wasn't night – it was closer to mid-afternoon, but one could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. It was as black as night in the forest, the thick wiry branches like a juniper blanket suffocating the light above.

The deeper the prince ventured into the forest, the more unsettled he became. Anxiety enveloped him and the hair on the back of his neck was permanently raised like the hackles of a dog. He took a pause, resting against a rotund trunk when he jumped back in disgust. The bark leaked sticky sap, much like the poisoned back of a putrid toad, and it's wax coated his palm. He paled as he scraped off the sap against the dull blades of grass beneath his boot as Eclipse finally caught up, doubling over on his haunches to catch his breath. Ahead, he could hear Rouge doubling back, trudging through the mud, returning from her mission ahead to scout.

"It seems to go on for miles," Rouge reported as she joined the two boys. "The path splits into three up ahead, but it's too dark to see which path leads where."

"Then let's split up," Shadow decided. "We need to find this flower for father as quick as we can."

"I strongly advise against that, my prince," Rouge voiced her concerns. "What if you get lost, or ambushed by a creature of the forest? I won't be able to protect you."

"We'll save time if we split up and cover more ground. This forest is massive and we're looking for a tiny little flower. Splitting up is our best option and you know it," Shadow challenged. His lungs ached from fatigue, burning beneath his skin, but the image of his father wracked with malady flashed through his mind and reignited his determination. Mephiles needed him, and he wasn't going to let his father down.

"But I–"

"There's no time for argument," Shadow interrupted. "The more time we spend arguing, the less time my father has. You do want to save him, don't you?" Rouge grunted, but bit her tongue. Shadow did little to hide a smirk. He knew despite her reservations she would inevitably do whatever he wanted. He was her prince after all, and he knew she was too loyal to go against his orders, however silly she might find them.

"As you wish, my prince. I advise we meet back where we tied up the horses no later than sunset. That gives us three hours. Understood?" Shadow nodded, but Eclipse was less certain.

"What if we get lost?" Eclipse asked, his voice weak.

"Follow the path and you won't," Shadow assured him. "How about you take the left-most path? That way you can just keep following whichever path leads left. Then when it's time to return you'll only have to keep turning right and that way you'll never get lost."

"And you're sure that will work?" Eclipse asked, his gaze flicking to Rouge to ask for her wisdom.

"It's a wise plan. And I suggest you do the same, my prince, with the right path. I shall take the centre one."

"Sounds like a plan," Shadow smiled, invigorated and refreshed from his moment's respite. "And if any of us find the flower we shall whistle out as a signal to the others, that way we won't waste valuable time searching and waiting for the others that could be used riding to father quicker."

"Be safe, Prince Shadow," Rouge nodded, placing her hand firmly on his shoulder. "You too, Lord Eclipse. I'll meet up with you presently." With a flick of her hair, Rouge marched off ahead.

"Are you sure about this, Shadow?" Eclipse asked, uncertainty still wracking his voice.

"Hey," Shadow whispered as he gripped Eclipse's upper arm and locked eyes with him. "Everything is going to be okay. Yeah?"

"Yeah?" Eclipse parroted, even still hesitation swam in his voice, and in his eyes.

"Yeah?" Shadow repeated more firmly, and finally Eclipse resigned to his fate. Shadow needed him, he knew that much. He couldn't let his best friend – his prince – down. Burying his fear within him, he nodded.

"Yeah."

"I'll see you soon," Shadow smiled as he hastened off down the path that twisted off to the right. Don't worry, father, Shadow thought. I'll be back soon. Just hold on a little bit longer.

To say Tails was nervous would be an understatement. His legs felt like jelly and bouts of fear buffeted him like crashing waves on the beach as each insect's whine or twig snapping beneath their feet made his heart lurch in his chest. He tried to keep a straight face but the deeper the trio ventured into the dark wood the less composed he became. Wiping his hands on his pants did little to dry the sweat as they moistened again almost instantly.

Sonic noticed, and he wished he could do something to calm his friend, but he, too, couldn't shake the dread that had wrapped its icy tendrils around him. Both boys shared an uneasy glance; it said they wanted to turn back, but when they looked forward to Amy her demeanour told a different story.

Amy stood tall, chest puffed out and fists clenched. If she was scared, she hid it well. She strode like somebody on a mission, her faced steadfast and her eyes assured. Tree branches shook in front of them, and a sly bat jumped from its perch and flew overhead. Sonic and Tails both threw their hands over their hands and crouched down in fear.

"You guys are such babies," Amy howled with laughter, holding her sides as she turned to the cowering boys. They looked petrified, and the knowledge of how scared they really were only instilled more bravery within her.

Tails didn't understand. He knew she was tough – she always had been ever since she befriended him as a kid – but this was something else. He thought it almost foolish how callous she acted in the face of the forest. She had heard the rumours, and she knew the myths, but still she laughed in the face of spectres and monsters.

Claustrophobia began to cloud Tails' mind, the trees pressing in around him on all sides as mist whipped at his mud-caked ankles. Shadows of contorted, wiry branches danced in the low light, mocking Tails, their splotchy trunks decorated in vines and moss. It had only been thirty minutes, but he already knew why they called this place the forbidden forest – it was truly a place that would make your veins freeze over.

"Guys, I think we should turn back," Tails voiced his concerns, trying his best to conceal the shakiness of his voice. His best wasn't good enough.

"Already? C'mon Tails, I thought you said you weren't scared," Amy fired back.

"I never said that! I just don't think we should go any deeper. What if we get lost? I don't think anything in here is quite edible," Tails scrunched his nose as he looked down at the fungi growing in the damp beneath the foot of a white-barked tree, a pungent tang oozing from it. The putrid stench tickled the inside of his nose.

"What have I said about thinking about 'What Ifs,' Tails?"

"What if you miss life's joys by thinking about what ifs?" Tails parroted.

"Exactly!" Amy gleamed with a click of her fingers. "What if we do turn back and up ahead there's some lost treasure that we never get to discover? What if we turn back and because we went back early we cross the path of a hungry panther? What if –"

"Okay, okay, you made your point, I just think…" Tails' voice dissipated into the air as Sonic noticed something out of the corner of his eyes. He knew Amy and Tails were still arguing, but their words were unintelligible drones as all sounds were drowned out. Sonic's world seemed to freeze as he caught sight of something peeking out from behind a tree up ahead. It was a phantom – as bright and blue as the sky – shimmering through the darkness like a lighthouse in the dead of night. Sonic felt his hear stop as the spectre turned to face him, its hollow eyes penetrating his soul. There was something familiar about it, however. Sonic squinted, staring deep into the shadows when it hit him. The spectre was familiar. It was someone he knew.

"Knuckles!" Sonic called out, suddenly breaking out into a sprint, barely keeping his footing as he tripped on an exposed root growing out of the mud.

"Sonic?" Amy and Tails called out to him, halting their argument. Sonic sped off down the path, chasing something. Without a second thought Tails set off after him, with Amy in tow not far behind, but Sonic was far too fast for them.

Sonic ignored his companion's calls as he flexed his muscles and pumped his legs, pushing past scrubs and bashing through bushes, hardly even flinching as stray twigs and branches cut his skin and drew blood. His eyes were focused on the phantom ahead of him, gliding across the earth.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me? How can Knux be here? Sonic pushed the thoughts from his mind as he powered ahead. He could hear Tails struggling to keep up behind him, but he knew he couldn't stop. He couldn't lose the spectre. Yet, before he knew what had happened, the ground rushed up to meet his face and he found himself choking out mud.

"Sonic, are you alright?" Tails called out in worry as he skidded to a halt and knelt down to help Sonic out of the mud.

"What happened?" Sonic asked, holding his pounding head – he'd hit the ground hard.

"You tripped," Amy said bluntly, bending over on her haunches to fill her screaming lungs. "What the hell was that?"

"I… I thought I saw something," Sonic admitted, embarrassed.

"You thought?!" Amy shouted. "You can't just run off like that."

"Whatever."

"Here," Tails smiled, offering a hand. Sonic took it thankfully and Tails hauled him to his feet. Sonic did his best to wipe off some of the mud from his face but it had crackled and dried quickly. "What did you see?"

"You'll laugh at me," Sonic dodged the question.

"We already are, mud-face, so you may as well tell us anyway," Amy shrugged.

"Find. I thought I saw my brother," Sonic admitted.

"Knuckles?"

"Yeah, but it wasn't him. It was like, his ghost or something."

"But, Sonic, Knux isn't dead," Amy put it bluntly.

"Yeah, maybe it was just another ghost?" Tails offered, but regretted it almost immediately. That only added to his anxiety.

"Ghosts aren't real though, right?" Sonic asked.

"Yeah, maybe it was just another ghost?" Tails offered, but regretted it almost immediately. That only added to his anxiety. "Ghosts aren't real though, right Tommy?"

Sonic ignored him. His ears twitched. He could hear something. It was faint, but something was making a sound off in the distance.

"Guys, shut up," he snapped. They ignored him.

"They might be. You've heard the rumours. Rumours start from somewhere, so maybe something is in here?"

"You're not helping my nerves, Amy."

"I said shut up!"

"Think about it – rumours about the Forbidden Forest say that if you venture deep enough you leave this mortal coil and cross over to the spirit realm. Mother says she's met sailors who told tales of their adventures in this forest and how it's one of the most spiritual places in the world. They said it's the gate to the other side."

"You don't really believe that, do you?" Tails shook nervously.

"Will you two both shut the hell up?" Sonic bellowed.

"We're trying to have a conversation here," Amy snapped back instinctively. "Don't tell us to shut –" Amy's words were muffled as Sonic jumped at her and clamped her jaw shut with her hands. She tried to push him off of her but, surprisingly, he overpowered her and hissed at her to be quiet. Tails watched on in confusion, but that's when he heard it.

It was faint at first, but as silence descended upon the trio the sound got louder. It was magical; bewitching. A beautiful tune wafted through the thick air, delighting their ears. It was the most beautiful, enchanting sound any of them had ever heard. It put even the best of Silver's ballads to shame, and he was one of the greatest minstrels Ashorus had ever had. The music was indescribable, but it encapsulated Tails' imagination instantaneously. He had to find the source, and before he knew what was happened his legs were carrying him deeper into the woods.

"I don't hear anything," Amy shrugged, but clearly Sonic and Tails could hear something, and although she thought they might just be trying to trick her, she reluctantly followed them deeper into the forest.

The music led the trio twisting through the thick trees and across the babbling brook that struggled to carve its way through the muck, twisting deeper. As they continued in a trance-like state, the forest got darker and more stuffy. Intricate cobwebs threaded the fibrous leaves above like a collage of white strands above. The mist grew thicker in the miasma, detaching scarves of white and gliding silently around their exposed legs, coiling up their limbs like a serpent.

Bright flames of a burning fire illuminated the glade ahead as they squeezed their way through a small gap in the wall of wood. Tails' eyes scanned the clearing, focusing on the poorly made wooden shack crudely stuck against a mighty oak stretching more than twenty metres high. Shadows from the fire danced over its lichen-encrusted walls and rotting roof. They could hear a gurgling sound emanating from within the darkness behind the opening of the hut.

Tails wasn't so sure about this, snapping to his senses as his mind cut through the trance the music had placed upon him, but it was too late to turn back as Sonic and Amy stepped out into the glade. In an instant, the music cut off, hurling the forest back into a deafening silence as two yellow, reptilian eyes pierced through the blackness.

"Who goes there?" a grotesque voice croaked. Tails was wracked with shivers as his legs grew rooted the spot with fear. He couldn't turn and run even if he wanted too. He was petrified.

"We're sorry to bother you," Sonic found his voice first. "We came here in search of what was making that heavenly tune."

"You could hear the music?" the voice asked.

"It was the most beautiful thing we've ever heard," Tails piped up, curiosity overtaking fear.

"Let me know if you can hear it again." Sonic, Amy and Tails stood transfixed in silence, but no music played. Amy opened her mouth to question the creature when the beautiful sound emanated again from within the rudimentary shack.

"It just started up again," Sonic whispered. Amy frowned – she couldn't hear anything. She didn't voice this fact.

"Intriguing," the voice ruminated for a moment. The three stood rigid in the glade, facing the darkened doorway of the make-shift hut. Tails and Sonic eyed each other uncertainly, sharing a long conversation with just a few looks. It was clear what they were arguing about; Sonic wants to ask to see the source of the music and Tails was trying to convince him that this is a mistake. Sonic won the argument, as he always did.

"Can I see what's making the music?" Sonic asked. Tails clenched his eyes shut, praying that it didn't take offense to his question. Amy's eyes grew wide with shock, but she clenched her fists instinctively. She had a bad feeling.

"Very well," the voice croaked. They could hear shuffling from inside the wooden structure and, slowly, something poked its head out of the doorway and crawled out of the shack, crouching in front of them. It was the strangest thing Tails had ever seen, and his made his blood run cold.

The creature – the best word Tails could think of to describe it as it certainly wasn't human – was short with stocky, spindly legs. It had a humanoid body with long, white toenails and fingernails that curved upwards. Its body looked like it was made from the bark of the trees, rough and patchy almost as if it was covered in wooden scales. Its flaky body was covered in lichen, almost like it has moss growing from within its skin akin to the hair of a human. A perfectly spherical, smooth head extended from its squat shoulders like a boulder. A thin line ran across its face, but as the creature opened its mouth to speak they could see it had no teeth or lips. There was just a black hole within the opening. Two round eyes were fixed into its stony skull like two golden marbles. It wobbled towards them and crouched a few feet away. Amy already had her hand on the hilt of her sword, muscles flexed and reflexes on alert, but the creature paid her no notice. It had a thin piece of string tied around its neck with a tiny wooden carving of a emerald.

"You wish to know of the source?" it asked in a croaky, toad-like voice.

"Desperately," Sonic replied with a twinkle of intrigue in his eyes. Tails didn't understand how his friend could be so blasé in the face of this… thing. Tails was petrified, and his knees wobbled beneath him like jelly. It took all he had not to turn and bolt.

"I must warn you, once you see it there's no turning back." Sonic showed no signs of changing his mind, and so the creature disappeared back into its hovel and returned a moment later with closed hands. He took his right one and held it out to the boy. As it slowly unfurled its ling fingernails a beautiful green glow illuminated the quiet glade. Within his hand sat a small, verdant emerald about five times the size of a die. Although it was solid, a green mist swirled across its faces and curled in on itself like waves.

"Can I?"

"Please do," the creature smiled, or at least what Tails thought was a smile, as Sonic gingerly took the emerald from it and held it up. The glow was mesmerising and immediately encapsulated him. Sonic wasn't sure how to activate it but he could feel a strange energy flow through him, almost as if it was exploring his body, and as he closed his eyes and gave in to the feeling he instinctively knew what to do.

Gradually, low dull-set tones began emanating from the glowing emerald, getting louder and more transcendent with each passing second. Before long it was as if an orchestra was playing a private concert withing the shadowed glade.

"It's… beautiful," Sonic mouthed, unable to believe his ears or his eyes. He turned to Amy, holding it out before her. "Do you want to hold it?" Amy reached out her hand but caught herself quickly.

"I'm not so sure that's such a good idea," Amy whispered, and the creature took note. She wasn't sure why, but something inside her told her not to touch the emerald.

"What about your other friend," the creature suggested, and Tails felt a jolt run up his spine, stiffening him up straight as he turned his head mechanically like a rusted robot.

"I-I-I," Tails stuttered, unable to string a sentence together.

"C'mon, here, bro, hold it," Sonic urged as he closed the gap between them and took Tails' hand. He gently turned his hand over, uncurling his clenched fingers and placed the green emerald on Tails' palm. The emerald flashed for a split second and the beautiful music silenced. Instantly Tails felt the same energy course through him like electricity, shifting from his palm up his arms, across his chest, down his legs and extending all the way to the tips of his toes. Mirroring Sonic, Tails closed his eyes and concentrated, and just like before the quiet melody began again until it crescendoed even louder than it did when Sonic was holding.

"So cool," Sonic mouthed. Something pricked his ears. Sonic scanned the perimeter of the glade, stopping to stare at a thick shrub growing beneath a dark-oak tree. He could almost make out a shadow crouching just out of sight. He wasn't sure if something was there or if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but as he went to voice his concerns the creature tapped him on the shoulder.

"Here, young one, I have another to show you," the creature croaked, stealing Sonic's attention away from the shrubbery as it held out its other hand, unfurling its fingers like it did before. This time, however, a brilliant red light shone from within, fighting against the green glow for dominance in the glade. Excitedly, Sonic snatched the red emerald out of the creatures hands, his imagination running wild about what spectacles the emerald might be able to do.

Much like when he held the green one, a strange energy swam through his blood and up his veins. However, this time instead of instilling him with a sense of warmth and calmness, it felt instead as if he were being singed with hot flames. It felt like his blood was boiling and as the power began to overtake him he threw his head skywards and let out a mighty scream.

"Sonic!" Amy yelped as she rushed to him, but her pleas couldn't be heard over his agonising screams.

Mud caked the souls of Shadow's once pristine, regal boots and brown splotches danced up the back of his pants and sprayed in brown mists behind him as he trudged deeper and deeper into the dense, damp woods. The screeches and moans of animals soaring above didn't make him jump anymore. It was all getting quite repetitive if he was being honest. It had been a couple hours since he had departed his travelling companions and Shadow was beginning to get frustrated.

The flower was nowhere to be seen, and his father was running out of time. His mind often drifted back to Mephiles, the once proud king resigned to his bed, stricken with surprise malady. Shadow wanted to know who had attempted to murder his father with the deadly poison he knew still seeped through Mephiles' veins. Fantasies of what he'd do when he found the perpetrator flashed in his mind.

He imagined beheading the individual with the sharp edge of an axe, or injecting him with the very same poison in a nice sense of irony, watching as the man writhed in agony in front of them as he and Mephiles shared a laugh. He envisaged tying the assassin up to a pole and letting his citizens hurl rocks for retribution, or constructing a mountain of sticks and logs beneath them to burn him in a brilliant pyre.

As Shadow continued to fantasise, gradually the wise words of his father cut through his thoughts, laced with judgement. We must show forgiveness, the words of Mephiles echoed through Shadow's head, so loud that he almost thought they'd come from the forest trees. Callousness and vengeance are never the answer. We must not be cruel to others or hold them in contempt unless we wish the same upon ourselves.

Shadow remembered back to countless nights lying awake in his room playing games with Eclipse when he convinced the boy to sneak up to his room past curfew. Mephiles always knew, as a king did, and commanded Eclipse to return to his own chambers. Shadow expected a scolding, but instead Mephiles reminded him of the importance of sleep. When he grew up he'd sneak out of Castletown with Eclipse to explore the great fields of the marshlands, practicing their swordsmanship to impress Rouge. When they returned his father would meet him with a hard stare, but would never reprimand Shadow. No, he would always instruct and preach the morally right answers, rather than punish and condemn his behaviour. Mephiles believed in forgiveness, learning, and growth in one's self.

Shadow struggled to agree with those sentiments. If somebody was never punished, what would keep them from continually abusing the leniency afforded to them? How would they really learn? And yet, Shadow had learnt, and as he grew he stopped disobeying his father so fervently. It took time, true, but eventually Shadow began to understand and respect his father's teachings. But could he act in parallel when it came to finding and confronting Mephiles' assassin? Shadow didn't think we would be able to act as lightly as his father.

As Shadow's thoughts continued to distract him, he didn't notice the otherworldly golden glow that crept across the trees and mud, dispelling the dancing shadows. Gradually, as Shadow continued down the un-walked track, the light grew brighter and bolder until, finally, Shadow dragged himself out of his thoughts.

What could be making the light? Shadow wasn't sure, but a thousand scenarios rushed through his head; a bandit with a lantern, or a screaming banshee. However, as Shadow demanded to know what was creating the light, no voice returned his commands and, eventually, Shadow pushed forward regardless of potential peril. He needed to help his father, and nothing was going to stop him, least of which silly ghost stories that Shadow was certain Eclipse and Rouge had just made up to scare him.

As he forced his way through an opening in the thick tree line, and crouched down to crawl underneath a particularly wiry and prickly bush, Shadow emerged into a small, hidden clearing. There, just in front of him, he could see the source of the light: The Golden Flower. Thorns cut his clothing and pricked his skin but he continued to push through, crawling out from beneath the bush. He rolled onto his front and pushed up onto his feet like a pouncing feline and raced over to the flower.

It was spectacular – large round golden petals grew from a crimson bud which dripped a sticky sap. Shadow let a small glob of it bead on his finger and tapped it to his tongue. Surprisingly, it was tangy, but as it seeped into his tastebuds he could feel a rejuvenated energy rush through him. That must be its healing properties. This must be the flower!

Eagerly, Shadow bent down and plucked the flower, but as he sheared it from its stem, a dark colouring began to cross it's petals, and in front of Shadow's worrying eyes the flower began to wilt and die in his hands.

Shadow panicked. He didn't realize that plucking it would sever it from its magic. His mind raced. He had to think quick. Had he really just killed his father by being too hasty? No, he wouldn't let doubts cloud his judgement. He knew what he had to do, and knew he had to do it fast. Hurriedly, Shadow reached into the small pouch that he kept tied around his waist and pulled out a small glass file, fixed with a cork. He removed the lid and carefully placed the vial underneath the dying flower.

Gradually, as the last of the life dissipated from the flower, a few drops of the flower's nectar fell from its bulb and splashed into the vial. He didn't get much, no more than a few millilitres, but it was enough – it had to be enough.

As Shadow ruminated on his decision and uncertainty, his ears pricked at a soft sound of people speaking. At first Shadow ignored it, too focused on more pressing issues, but as he carefully corked the vial and placed it back into his pouch he noticed an enticing, wonderous green glow flood the forest. He glanced down to his waist, and to the pouch hidden beneath his tattered and scratched shirt. He knew time was of the essence. He had to return to his father as quickly as he could, but he found it almost impossible to tear himself away without investigating the light. It was enchanting. Shadow couldn't help himself. He had to find out what it was, the sooner he did, the sooner he could be out of the forest. Besides, if Eclipse and Rouge saw it too then it would be the quickest way to meet up with them. It only makes sense.

On hands and knees, Shadow slithered back though the opening beneath the shrubs, ignoring the cuts lacerating his back, and jumped up. However, just as he located the direction of the light, it dissipated. He waited a moment, but it never continued. Shadow wasn't sure why it stopped. Maybe because whatever was making it didn't want to be found? Or maybe Eclipse or Rouge had gotten to it first? Regardless, Shadow was stricken by it, like some force had completely overtaken him, compelling his body. Without another thought, he raced towards where he thought it had originated from, flying around twists and leaping over knotting tree roots and small bushes.

In a matter of minutes he'd stumbled upon the source of the light and the voices. Four distinct voices, but none familiar to him. Creeping ever so slightly closer, Shadow crouched behind a thick shrub growing beneath a tall dark oak. Cautiously, Shadow spread apart some of the leaves and peered through the opening. He had a perfect view of four individuals in the small clearing, illuminated by the glowing embers blazing at the bottom of a small firepit surrounded by stones. Three of them appeared normal – two hedgehogs and a fox – but the fourth individual made Shadow's stomach turn. It was some grotesque forest creature, but as Shadow listened to the conversation it was clear what was making the source of that which enchanted him so thoroughly: the two beautifully glowing emeralds that thing held.

"C'mon, here, bro, hold it," Shadow heard the taller hedgehog one give the emerald to the smaller fox, and it glowed a brilliant verdant hue that shone through the glade. He heard the trio say something about a beautiful sound, but he heard nothing. Why didn't he? He deserved to. He was prince, after all, but as he shifted he noticed the hedgehog turn his head and stare directly at him. Shadow froze in place, heart in his chest as he held his breath. He could have sworn the boy's gaze pierced right through him, but as the creature spoke Shadow allowed himself to breathe again, his muscles relaxing as the boy turned back to the creature.

Shadow inched closer, as close as he dared while still remaining concealed by the shrubbery, as he watched the boy accept another emerald, this time red, and Shadow watched with wide eyes as he was encased with a crimson hue and cry out in pain.

"Sonic!" Shadow heard the girl shout, words drenched with worry, but as quickly as screams began, they stopped and he saw a rejuvenated look cross the boy's face. Shadow continued to listen in, quietly observing from afar.

"Are you alright, young one?" the creature croaked, it's voice like nails on a chalkboard.

"I feel… amazing," Sonic boomed.

"Don't scare me like that!" the girl grumbled as she punched the boy in the arm. He instinctively went to rub his arm when he looked up at the girl.

"That didn't hurt? How come that didn't hurt?"

"You want it to hurt?" the girl queried.

"Punch me again!" Sonic dared.

"Sonic, are you alright?" the smaller one beside him asked.

"Just trust me, Tails. Amy, c'mon, punch me as hard as you can in the gut," Sonic, as Shadow now learnt, demanded. Confusion washed Amy's face, but it didn't stop her from reeling back and delivering a swift punch directly into him, her fist sinking into his skin. Sonic stood firm for a moment, and then laughed. Amy's face flushed red.

"Why are you laughing?" she puffed.

"I didn't feel a thing. How come I didn't feel a thing?" Sonic turned to the creature.

"Because you are holding the red emerald," it croaked again.

"Are these magic or something?"

"In a simple sense, one could describe it as that. It's a little more complicated, however."

"What do you mean? Why didn't that hurt?" Sonic asked again, intrigue and excitement bubbling within him.

"These emeralds were forged from stardust, and imbued with the power of ancients, long before your time," the creature explained. "That one you are holding, the red emerald, infuses the holder with incomparable strength and stamina. You can brush off mighty blows like they were caused by a feather, and run several miles without breaking a sweat."

"And what about this one Mr…" Tails trailed off. "I don't think you ever told us your name. What do we call you?"

"Call me?" the creature shot him an unreadable look. He had no brows or lashes to convey emotion, and his orb-like yellow eyes were as dark as night. His mouth moved slightly, as if he were trying to smile, but Shadow wasn't sure. "Nobody has ever asked me my name before."

"You do have a name, though, don't you? Everybody has a name."

"You may call me Aldar," Aldar replied. "And that one you are holding is the green emerald. Created along with its companion, it has the power to produce the most magical melodies that can soothe any soul that is able to hear its tune. Furthermore, if one–"

"I want to try," Shadow bellowed. He was sick of hiding. He was the prince of Deyfros, respected ruler of the entire west. If anybody deserved to wield ancient magic it was he. Pushing out from his alcove beneath the shrubbery, Shadow marched towards the group and made his presence known.

"Who is this?" Aldar asked. "Another friend of yours?"

"I've no idea who that is," Sonic replied as he instinctively tightened his grip around the red emerald.

"Hang on, guys, I'm pretty sure I know who that is," Amy said in surprise. "It's–"

"Yes, yes, it's me, your prince."

"Prince Shadow? No way!" Tails said with childlike excitement. "What an honour."

"A pleasure to meet you, my loyal subjects," Shadow bowed to the dishevelled trio. "Now, if you please, would you mind handing those emeralds over to me?"

"Tails," Aldar croaked. "Before you do anything, would you mind doing something for me?"

"O-Of course."

"Concentrate on the emerald again, but this time instead of pulling on the energy the emerald is exuding, I want you to push against it. From your heart, feel the swirling energy within you and push against it with your own."

"I don't think I understand," Tails furrowed his brow.

"Don't think. Feel," Aldar commanded. Tails wasn't sure, but he closed his eyes and searched within himself. He could feel the power of the emerald within him, crawling across his skin and swirling like mist in his veins. He focused and pushed his emotions against the emeralds, and suddenly he felt the emerald grow warm in his hands, like it was filling with his own emotions – and it began to play music again. It was a different tune this time, different to the first one they heard when he and Sonic held it, and different to the alternate one the creature played.

"That sounds amazing," Sonic turned to Tails. "Are you playing that?"

"I… I don't know?"

"Playing what?" Shadow demanded. "I don't hear anything!" The creature was expressionless. "I could hear it before, but not anymore!"

"It's as I feared," Aldar said dully.

"How cool is that? Amy, what do you think?"

"I… I think it sounds just as cool as the other songs," Amy stuttered briefly. Shadow stomped his foot like a petulant child, frustration kindled within him.

"I don't hear anything. Why not?" He demanded, but before Aldar could explain Shadow ignored and interrupted him. "I don't care why. You're probably just playing a trick on me. Give it to me and let me try myself."

"O-Okay," Tails said, relinquishing his push as the music faded into the air and handed out the emerald to Shadow, but as the prince went to grab it Sonic stepped between the two.

"No!" Sonic growled. "Don't give it to him just because he said so, Tails."

"What? How dare you speak to me like that. I'm your prince, and you will do as I say," Shadow fired back. Tails didn't like the confrontation. He just wanted to give the prince the emerald and let him give it a try. He honestly didn't see the harm, but there was something in Sonic that didn't like Shadow.

"I don't care what you want. How about you ask nicely and say please and then maybe he'll give it to you," Sonic stood toe to toe. The look that crossed Shadow's face could have burnt down a village with the searing anger enflamed on his cheeks. His stare would make demons hide in fear.

"I will do no such thing. You can't talk that way. I am your prince, and I command you give me that emerald. Both of them, in fact," Shadow bellowed. Aldar looked on with unreadable eyes, studying the encounter wordlessly.

"Sonic, I–"

"No, Ames, I don't care what you say. I'm not giving this prick what he wants."

"I was going to agree with you, dickhead," Amy clapped back. "I was trying to take your side."

"Oh, good. We won't do what you say. We aren't in your kingdom anymore."

"Yeah," Amy smirked, standing up for Sonic. "What are you going to do about it?" Shadow stood motionlessly for a moment, his mind running. His hand moved to the hidden leather pouch tied to his belt with a piece of string, his nerves calming a little when he felt the glass vial still there. He didn't have time for this insubordination. He needed to get the nectar back to his father and cure his illness. Still, there was something about the emeralds that captured his imagination and stole his thoughts. He couldn't leave without them – or at least without holding them once. His father had time. He was strong.

Furrowing his brow, Shadow reached for the hilt of his sword and unsheathed his stainless steel blade, directing the sharp point of the blade at Sonic's chest.

"I won't ask you again. Give me the emerald," Shadow demanded in a deep voice.

"No," Sonic dared to stand up against the prince. He wasn't backing away. He thought back to his village, slowly dying under the constant taxes the kingdom and its rulers were placing upon them. They didn't care how many people starved, or how many livelihoods they ruined, as long as they got to live in luxury. Sonic was sick of it, and he wasn't going to let them walk over him again. He reached for his own sword.

"You dare challenge me? You're making a big mistake," Shadow warned.

"Bring it on," Sonic challenged.

Then Shadow charged at him.