Chapter One: The Servants of Darkness Strike In the year 3239, Mobius's capital city, Mobotropolis, prospered with freedom and happiness. It had been four years since the Miracle of Hope and Promise that ended the Robotropolis War. The crown of the king was passed on to the one next in line for it. Those who supported the Hedgehog Dynasty cheered for their new ruler, but those who knew the young king the closet were taken by suprise at the king's wise and caring rule, and his willingness to accept the responibility. His sibings, made Council Kings and Queen themselves, once said that they didn't expect their brother to accept the crown so easily. The king was, in fact, one more apt to the life of adventure than the palace life. But a wise ruler he was, and everyone loved him. But Darkness never rest. The following transcripts that follow this introduction were provided by eyewitnesses, recording equipment, and other fine needs for documenting such actions. We will not reveal who gave such accounts, or how they did this, but we do hope that the history of such actions are recorded, to reveal solutions and prevent accidents. For history has a tendancy to repeat itself. ---Juliyanna Athemyst, High Science Officer to His Magesty's Royal Science Team In a dark corner of Mobotropolis, a squirrel with long reddish-blond hair wandered down an alleyway. She wore a black catsuit. Her name was Shaetore Valcena, a devoted follower of Darkness. She lost touch with her mistress four years ago after the gods Hope and Promise warded off Darkness from the mortal realm. But Shaetore had been planning on a way to bring this dark goddess back. In the alleyway, Shaetore entered a building that had been redesigned into an underground chapel, made in honor of the Goddess of Darkness. Shaetore approached the alter and fell to her knees, beginning to pray. "My lady, all preperations have been set. Soon, you will reunite with your mortal body, and the first step to taking back Mobius will be underway." A loud, echo-ey detached voice boomed in the chapel. "Excellent, my servant. Carry out. The night of the united moon approaches, and it must be carried out by this time." Shaetore nodded. "Yes, my lady." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the Palace of Hope, the very center of Mobotropolis, King Sonic, a handsome blue hedgehog who was quick on his feet and quicker in wit, raised his glass, in toast to his new Science Team. The Science Team, which consisted of Juliyanna Athemyst, the High Science Officer; Tails Prower, Mechanics Expert; and Sir Charles Hedgehog, Senior Member of the Team; were sitting on either side of the King. In one arm of the King, the one that wasn't raising a glass, was his newborn son, Sonie. Also there was the king's brothers, Manic and Shadow; his sister Sonia; mother Aleena and father Jules; Jules's royal protectors and close friends Mighty, Charmy, Vector and Espio; not to mention the King's personal bodyguard, Captian Knuckles; the King's secret service team, Geoffory St. John, Hershey Cat, Bunnie Rabbit, Antoine D'Coolette, Heavy and Bomb; and from Station Square, Ambassador Amy Rose and her cousins Daniel Ranay, Sierra Ranay and Big the Cat. Amy's other cousin, Aushatara Ranay, was also there. Everyone raised their glasses in celebration of this brand new team and cheered. Sonic looked around and tried his best to look happy. But many, many people knew that the king was not completely happy, as he had just recently lost his wife, Kalita, in a terrible Earthquiake that shook up the city a few months ago. His son was born just HOURS before the quake and Sonic did his best to protect what he always considered his greatest treasure. He and Sonie were inseperable, and everyone knew that Sonic will fight to keep his son safe. But Sonic wasn't the only one feeling lonely. Shadow's wife, Shalita, had been out on a journey and had yet to return home. Shadow always said that Shalita was what kept him going in this great big world. He treasured her as much as he did with Maria, his best friend. "Having a good time, Miss Juliyanna?" Sonic asked later when the guests began to converse with each other. "Yes sir. We're very honored by this party," the pink hedgehog said, grinning a bit. Her wild bangs and quills made look like the unpredictable type. "Cool party, Sonic!" 13-year old Tails said, approaching the two. The little two tailed fox had certainly changed and now sported the classic working teen look with a green vest and a backwards green hat. "I concur, Miles," Sir Charles said. "My nephew's done so much for us, and not just the party either!" "What can I say, Uncle Chuck? Only the best for my family and friends," Sonic smiled. He looked at the newborn in his arms and smiled softly, rocking him gently. "And of course, only the best for my son..." Little Sonie yawned and cooed, followed by the generic 'Awwww' moment. Everyone adored the baby, but Sonic manage to keep attention focused on the party instead of the baby. Manic, the green hedgehog, ran over to Sonic. "Hey bro, would you like me to hold Sonie for a while? Your arms must be tired!" Sonic looked upon his brother with suspiction. Manic was always up to something, and even though Manic was absolutely fond of Sonie (keeps saying Sonie reminded Manic of his first child-care experience, which he constantly used as an excuse to hold Sonie for a while), Sonic knew that Manic wasn't just offering to carry Sonie for a while without a reason. "What are you up to THIS time?" Manic gave that fake look of shock and deceit and layed his hand on Sonic's shoulder, while the other one clutched at his chest. "Brother...dear brother. Dear sweet brother...what makes you think I'm up to anything? Cannot I hold my own nephew without a particular reason. He reminds me SO much of...fake sniffle..Hip..." Sonic did his best to look away from his overdramatic brother. "Because you're a scoundral and a thief?" Manic turned off the performance and snapped up straight. "okay okay! I admit! I need Sonie to... you know...impress Sierra over there..." He pointed to the indigo blue hedgecat chatting with Big and sighed. "Chicks dig that loving caring dude, ya know?" Sonic sighed. "Fine. I trust you with the baby, but I suggest being yourself towards Sierra, clear?" "Crystal," Manic said cooly and held little Sonie, while heading towards Sierra. Moments later, the power in the room shut off, flooding the room in darkness. Voices murmured, and moments later, a scream. Sonic reconized the scream belonging to Aushatara. Little Sonie had started crying in Manic's arms. Sonic weaved towards the door and tried the switch. It came on and Aushatara was gone. "Hey, where's Aush?" Sonic asked, looking around. Voices murmured, clueless. Sonic wandered to Manic and picked up Sonie, to calm him down. Sonie immeditely quietened down, feeling safe and secure in his father's arms. "Sonic!" Knuckles called from the door. He was kneeled on the floor, looking at something. "Look here." Sonic joined Knuckles at the doorway and looked at the object. It was a pendant. "What do you suppose it is?" Knuckles asked. Sonic picked it up. "Its a Dark Goddess pendant. One of my fears have come to pass. Darkness is trying to rejoin with her body, Aushatara. Good work, Captian." Sonic stood up. "Knux, I need you and the Secret Service to follow me. We have to stop these people before its too late." "Pardon me,sah!" Bunnie Rabbit spoke up, stepping foward. "We may have extra help on tha way. Mah lil cousin's been chasing these Dark cult creeps all ovah Mobius, especially tha priestess Shaetore Valcena." "Understood, Agent Rabbit. Alright, let's move out!"
