Chapter 4 – Final Evolution
Andrew Pierce was certainly not enjoying himself. After being shot with his own bullets and left for dead he had crawled back to his office and was now lying on the floor. He had first tried to contact the fleet but the comm tower must have been damaged as he got no signal. After that he had managed to reach the medical cupboard and get some painkillers and bandages. The bandages hadn't been much good but they had allowed him to clean up his wounds. The energy shots had burned straight through his uniform and seriously burnt his skin. Andrew knew a lot about such weapons and also how to treat the wounds, which was lucky for him. All that time in medical class at the academy had paid off!
He pulled himself into a sitting position and groaned. His wounds still burned and he knew he had a couple of internal injuries but right now he wasn't thinking of that. He was thinking of the echidna that had attacked and what to do. He slowly reached for his jacket and painfully slipped it on over his bandages. Pulling himself to his feet he crossed to the door, nearly falling over twice. He opened the door and staggered to the railings of the gantry. The smoke from the base could be seen off to one side and +Andrew starred at it.
"Damn what's going on?" he asked himself.
He looked over the compound and stopped his eyes on a small jeep. He had to find out what was happening. He turned and staggered down the gantry to the ground before making his way slowly over to the jeep. When he reached it he sat for a moment recovering before starting the vehicle and moving out of the compound. It didn't take him long to reach the base and he was shocked at the devastation. All that was left was a huge crater in the ground. Pieces of metal and such lay scattered around but nothing else had survived. He sat for a moment remembering his friends and partners at the base before looking back at the crater. As he looked over it something caught his eye, a small glowing white light at the centre of the crater.
"Huh?"
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Miles ran in a straight line. He didn't care where he was going or how long it would take, all he cared about was getting away. It had been hard to leave his father but now that he was running he found he couldn't stop. His thoughts shifted between his father, family and friends. Sally laying in a heap in the corridor, Alicia's shocked face, Sonic looking so defeated, it was too much. He continued to run, only looking up to make sure the way was clear, before finally coming to a stop next to a small forest. He had no idea where he was of how far he'd run but it wasn't on his mind. He lay Lavender down on the grass and nudged her a few times.
"Lavender?" he asked.
He didn't expect an answer but amazingly he got one. Miles jerked backwards sharply as Lavender gave a small twitch. Leaning forwards he noticed that her breathing was increasing in volume. He blinked and then sat waiting, watching Lavender lovingly. The small kitsune eventually gave small murmur and Miles almost found himself crying.
"Lavender?" he asked again.
Lavender gave another murmur and her lips parted slightly. Slowly her eyes opened a crack and watered for a moment. Miles quickly leaned forwards and wiped them for her with his finger making her smile slightly.
"You ok?" he asked quietly.
"I am now." replied Lavender even quieter.
Miles closed his eyes and smiled broadly.
"Something bad has happened." said Lavender slowly.
Miles opened his eyes and his smile faded.
"It's all so cold." said Lavender with a shiver, "Something dark has entered the Vault."
"And our home." said Miles.
"Basanda…"
"Huh? Is that her name?"
"Yes…I can feel her thoughts in my head. She's calling to me. She want to…to…"
Lavender stopped and her face turned to complete fear. Miles leaned forwards and took hold of her hand.
"Lavender?" he asked.
"She wants to…kill me." replied Lavender slowly.
Miles' grip on Lavender's hand tightened as she said this. He was starring straight at her and her back at him.
"I won't let her." he said.
"Thank you Miles." she replied.
The pair looked at each other for a moment more before Miles finally looked away.
"Lavender, can you walk?" he asked.
"I'm…I'm not sure." replied Lavender trying to move.
She managed to prop herself up but it took a lot of effort and she soon lay back down. Miles just nodded at her.
"I'll carry you." he said.
"You sure?" asked Lavender.
"Yeah no problem, question is…where do we go?"
Neither of them spoke for a moment. Lavender began to think about what to do. She shivered slightly as she felt the darkness slowly encroaching on the Vault. The Chaos Emeralds were feeling cold and scary as were the Deep Power Stones and the other power signatures in the Vault. The new power she had felt in the Vault was stronger than ever now and even darker than the other signals. However as she thought about it more she could feel a tingle of warmth run through her mind. She became puzzled for a moment and then remembered. The other day when she had felt cold, she had felt two new signatures in the Vault. She couldn't tell the difference then but there was a difference now. As she dwelled on it the warmth began to spread. Her shoulder's relaxed and she closed her eyes. She stayed like this for quiet some time before she was snapped out of it by a nudge. Miles was kneeling next to her looking slightly concerned.
"Lavender?" he asked.
"I know where we have to go Miles." she replied.
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Andrew slowly picked his way down the side of the crater making for the centre. It was pretty hazardous even without his injury. Bits of jagged metal lay scattered around and the crater was covered in potholes and lumps making it awkward to descend. Even so Andrew was making progress and was nearly at the bottom. The light he had seen from the top was slightly brighter now and was pulsing slightly. He was pondering over what it could be, surely in this kind of destruction nothing could survive.
He finally arrived at the bottom of the crater and rested for a moment, clutching his wounds as he did. The light was coming from underneath a small piece of metal plating, which he slowly pushed aside to reveal the source. A small white gem was stuck in the ground pulsing light. Andrew didn't understand for a moment and then he remembered. It was one of the gems he had brought back from the dig site. He knelt down next to it and slowly pulled it from the ground. The light got even brighter as he picked it up but you could still look at it. He turned it over in his hand for a moment before looking around.
"But if this one survived where is the other?" he said to himself.
The gem reacted to his words by dimming slightly and going slightly cold in his hand. Andrew was so shocked he immediately threw the gem to the ground and backed off. After a moment or so the gem lit up again and started to pulse white once more. Andrew slowly walked over to it and picked it up to find it was no longer cold in his hand.
"What on Earth was that?" he mumbled to himself.
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Chalk slowly moaned and opened her eyes a crack. For a moment everything was black but finally a room came into focus. As the room became more apparent so too did the pain in her body. She didn't have the strength to scream so instead just groaned painfully as she slowly moved her hands across her body. She could feel the burns of her energy shots on her skin and the smell of burnt fur was still apparent. She closed her eyes again and took a few shuddering breaths before opening them again. She was now able to focus a bit better and could see that the room she was in was T2 and Petya's room in Amy's parents house. She began to think. Had they stopped that person? Was Sonia ok? Where was everyone else? Her final question was answered a moment later but not to her liking. She looked around the whole room to see all of her friends scattered around looking equally as bad as her. Next to her a few feet away lay Sonic, he was unconscious but still breathing, beside him lay Links, he didn't look to badly beaten up but was still out of it. A little way off lay Amy and her parents, Amy looked in a terrible state, her dress was so badly ripped apart she was almost naked. Chalk could see that Marian was awake and was gently stroking her daughters face. On the bed she could see two orange tails dangling over the edge, obviously belonging to T2 and next to it a grey arm that was Petya's. From her position on the floor she couldn't see either of them though. She continued to look around and soon caught sight of Manic and Sonia in a far corner. Manic looked the most awake of everyone but was nursing his head heavily as he looked at his unconscious sister. Bunnie lay in a rather undignified heap sobbing gently over Knuckles near to Sonia and Manic. The last person she saw was Alindel, who had a large cut from her left ear right across the middle of her face. She was bent over Jet and Alicia trying to nurse them awake. Chalk continued to look round but she couldn't see Miles or Lavender anywhere. Her heart immediately jumped, causing her burns to flare slightly, what if something worst had happened to them? She looked at Alindel and spoke.
"A…Alindel." she murmured.
The cat stopped her work and looked over at Chalk. The slash across her face became more apparent as she turned, her white facial fur was more red in colour now due to the crusted blood, her breathing was slightly laboured and she looked sleepy.
"Ch…alk. You're awake." she replied, "You…ok?"
Chalk simply shook her head slowly.
"You?" she asked.
Alindel shook her head also.
"My left leg is…broken in…at least two place." replied Alindel.
"What happened?"
"I don't…know. I went outside and everyone was…and then I was hit hard here." Alindel indicated to her face and the slash, "All I remember is…waking up here."
Chalk nodded slowly.
"Amy's coming round." said Marian slowly from the other side of the room.
Chalk and Alindel looked over at them and waited. At length Amy gave a soft moan and woke. Marian continued to brush a hand past her face as Amy started to come round. Before anyone could say anything though the door of the room opened and an echidna walked in. She slowly scanned the room and finally locked her eyes on Chalk. The rabbit visibly gulped as the echidna crossed the room and stopped in front of her. Chalk nervously glanced up to find the echidna starring down at her. As their gaze met she found she couldn't look away or move at all. Complete and total fear filled her mind as she started to shake.
"Where are they?" asked the echidna.
"Huuuuh?" replied Chalk nervously.
"The boy and the girl, where are they?"
Chalks' mind instantly went to Miles and Lavender. Did she mean them? Is that why they weren't here? Had they escaped? Chalk still didn't say anything.
"I'll only ask once more. Where are they?" repeated the echidna.
Chalk still didn't answer. The echidna sighed and narrowed her eyes at Chalk. Chalk went instantly rigid and let out a muted cry.
"Stop!" cried Alindel as loud as she could.
The echidna broke eye contact with Chalk and the rabbit collapsed to the floor gasping heavily. Alindel soon found herself going rigid as the echidna glared at her.
"Perhaps you know. Where are they?!" she asked again.
"I…don't know!" gasped Alindel.
"BAH!" cried the echidna, "Where is that girl fox?!"
"What do you want with Lavender?!" moaned Amy.
The echidna instantly released Alindel, who too fell to the ground gasping, and looked at Amy.
"So that is her name?" she said, "And the boy hedgehog?"
"Go to hell bitch!" growled Amy.
The echidna just chuckled and knelt down next to Amy. Marian was now breathing in shuddered gasps as she drew closer, she was terrified. Amy on the other hand was glaring at the echidna.
"You're quite an interesting one aren't you? I presume this Lavender is your child."
"And what if she is?"
"It is of little concern. I'll find her one way or another and I think I'll use you as bait."
The echidna started to chuckle quietly to herself.
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Dusk was beginning to fall as a blue blur shot across the landscape. It zipped back and forth, as if not knowing exactly where it was heading before eventually slowing to a stop. Miles let go of Lavender and gently placed her on the ground. Lavender was able to stand but still lent on Miles for support.
"You sure this is right?" asked Miles.
Lavender just nodded.
"Ok then what now?" shrugged Miles.
"Now we find it." replied Lavender.
"Find it? Find what?"
"What I felt! Miles there's something not right in this whole situation."
"How'd you mean?"
"When I first started feeling bad I felt something new enter the Vault. As I told uncle T2 it was like there were nine Chaos Emeralds."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Nine?" he asked.
"Yes nine. I don't know what they are but they weren't there before and…and Basanda had one."
"What? What does she have?"
"I don't know Miles! All I know is that the other is close by."
"Close by! Oh man."
"Don't worry Miles, Basanda is not here and…this one feel different to the one she had."
"Well ok, if you say so. So?"
"That way, over this ridge."
Miles didn't say anything and slowly helped Lavender walk up to the edge of the ridge they were on. They couldn't help but gasp. Below them was a large crater perfectly round in shape and pretty deep.
"Woah!" said Miles, "What's that."
"Miles we have to go down there." replied Lavender.
"Sure?"
"Yes."
"Ok then, hang on."
Miles took a hold of Lavender again and shot down the bank in a matter of seconds coming to a stop in a patch of bushes just beside the crater. They peeked out over the crater trying to make things out in the deepening dusk light. Presently Miles saw something.
"Hey Lavender look at that!" he said pointing.
Lavender looked where he was pointing. At the side of the crater, not to far off, was a small object. It looked like a vehicle of some sort but that was not the most interesting thing about it. A soft white light was irradiating from the vehicle filling the area with a soft glow. Lavender gasped slowly and made a move to step towards it. Miles quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Don't think we should rush over Lav, let's take it slow." he said.
"Slow isn't your style Miles but I think you're right." replied Lavender.
Slowly the pair started to move round the crater using the bushes and shadows to hide them.
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Andrew sat in his jeep thinking. Night was starting to draw in and he had little idea of what to do. He could return to the dig site and spend the night there but if the transmitter was damaged he couldn't radio for help. Surely they must have noticed the base's destruction by now? And what was this white gem? He rolled his head to look at it. The gem sat on the passenger seat next to him still glowing. He rolled his head back and looked at the sky, the stars were coming out now and Andrew soon found himself lost in them. Sleep was starting to take him as he heard a rustling to his side. He was alert in a second but didn't move an inch as he slowly reached for his firearm at his side. Spinning quickly to one side he pushed his gun out and made ready to fire.
"FREEZE!" he cried loudly.
His voice echoed around the area as did two sets of shocked cries. In the light of the gem Andrew could make out two small furries, a blue hedgehog and a white fox with more tails than anything he had seen in his life. The hedgehog was in front, pushing the fox behind himself, protecting her as he did.
"What do we have here eh?" said Andrew slowly.
"Dammit!" cured the hedgehog.
The fox was peaking over his shoulder gingerly and leaning on the hedgehog as she did. It was plain to see that she wasn't in such a good state. Taking a closer look Andrew guessed that they were both children. They both started to back up and Andrew fired a single shot past their shoulders. The fox yelped loudly and almost collapsed.
"I wouldn't move if I were you." he instructed.
"Why's that?" questioned the hedgehog, "There's two of us and only one of you."
"Yes but I have a gun, you don't. Besides your friend doesn't look to good to start with."
The hedgehog turned to see that the fox was shaking violently and had nearly fallen over. He quickly made a move to support her, not caring about the gun aimed at his back.
"Lavender? You ok?" he asked.
"Miles…" the fox whimpered in response.
Miles turned back to Andrew and glared at him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I was going to ask you the same thing. Two little furries sneaking around the remains of an Earth outpost…it makes you think doesn't it." replied Andrew.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." retorted Miles folding his arms.
"Of course not but I bet you will when my pick up arrives."
"And you plan to sit their pointing that gun at us until then eh? I wonder how long that could be."
Andrew blinked, he hadn't thought of that. Even if the fleet had noticed the base destruction it could be hours, maybe even days until his pick up arrived.
"Shit." he cursed.
"Thought so." said Miles.
"Well in any case I'm not letting you two out of my sight."
Reaching forward he slowly picked up the gem from the passenger seat and made a move to put it in the jeeps glove compartment. At this Lavender sprung forwards, making a snatch for the gem. Andrew quickly swung the gem away and brought his gun round, smacking Lavender in the side of the head with the handle. Lavender then hit the door frame and stopped, leaning on the passenger seat starring down the barrel of Andrew's gun. She started to whimper. Miles made a move forwards but Andrew swung the gun up towards him making him stop. Andrew then swung the gun back towards Lavender and looked at her before glancing at the gem and back to the fox.
"So you're interested in this gem eh? What's so important about it?" he enquired.
"PLEASE!" wailed Lavender in a flustered panic, "Please let me have it!"
"And why is that?"
"I need it! It's the only thing that can help our friends!"
"Oh? And how is that? Who might your friends be?"
"I don't know how! Please! We have to stop her!"
"Her? Who is her?"
Lavender stopped for a moment and looked at the gem in Andrew's hand.
"That echidna!" said Miles answering for Lavender, "Basanda or something."
"Echidna?!" snapped Andrew.
He looked round sharply at Miles completely shocked. Miles looked back at him slightly shocked.
"Red skin? Purple hair? Green dress?" asked Andrew quickly.
Miles looked back at him a little shocked and then nodded slowly.
"What has she got to do with you?!" he enquired.
"She attacked us! She….I don't even know if they're still alive." said Miles looking at the floor.
"Please?" asked Lavender again.
Andrew didn't know what to think or do. Was this the same echidna that had attack the dig site? Had she attacked them? If so why? Weren't all furries on the same side? He looked down at Lavender and noticed her face, one of complete innocence and truth. Andrew started to find himself believing them but stopped suddenly. If he helped them he'd be considered a traitor. Saying that he was probably considered dead right now if the fleet knew of the base. The Earth Alliance had never been good to him anyway! Sticking him out in the middle of nowhere, making him fight for evey promotion he had achieved. This could be his chance to get back at that echidna for what she had done to him and his men. He looked away from Lavender and gave Miles a hard glare for a moment before slowly lowering his weapon. Miles and Lavender didn't move as he did this.
"That echidna was found at a dig site we were excavating. She was found in a chamber along with two gems. One black and one white, this is the white one." he said.
"Then where's the black one?" asked Miles.
"She has it, Basanda." said Lavender slowly.
"Hmm…" thought Andrew.
"What are those anyway?" asked Miles.
"You tell me." said Andrew.
Andrew had lowered the gem back down now and Lavender found herself starring at it. The darkness around her seemed to melt away as the light of the gem filled her eyes. An odd feeling brushed over her body making her fur tingle and stand up slightly. Just then she blinked as her surrounds started to go blue. She shook herself and looked around. A blue dome surrounded her which sparkled with points of white light. Lavender gasped.
"The Vault! But how am I here?" she asked.
"I see you've found it…no matter." said a voice.
Lavender propped herself up and turned. Behind her stood the figure of Basanda. Lavender yelped and fell back onto her back before skittering backwards across the floor on her hands. Basanda followed her, stepping right up to her as Lavender finally reached the edge of the dome. Basanda knelt down and ran a finger along the side of Lavender's cheek. Lavender froze solid, unable to move or say anything. Basanda removed her finger and smiled slightly.
"You're the last thing I expected you know. There hasn't been a guardian of this place for many years. I can only recall one before my imprisonment. However, it might just be to my advantage." she said.
"Huh?" squeaked Lavender.
Basanda chuckled and tapped her finger gently on Lavender's lips before shaking it.
"Do not speak little guardian, there is only one thing you must do right now." she said.
"…huh?"
"You shall return to this place, Little Planet. You will return and upon returning you will sacrifice yourself to me. You will give yourself and the gem to the dark force or…you're friends will take your place."
Lavender began to tremble now but a glimmer of hope ran though her mind, they were alive! Basanda watched her expression.
"Yes they are alive for now…however my patience is short. Remember little guardian, it is you or them. You choose."
Basanda stood back up and turned away chuckling to herself slightly. She took a few steps and slowly faded from view. Lavender remained pressed against the wall and slowly the Vault faded from view.
She woke with a thud as she landed on top of Miles. Startled she looked around frantically. She was back beside the crater. Miles pulled himself out from under her and helped her to her feet.
"Lavender what was that all about?" he asked.
"Huh?" replied Lavender.
"You…just kinda phased out and went into a trance. Then that gem started glowing and you stood up and….FLOATED for a bit! Then the gem faded and you fell on top of me."
"I did?"
"Lavender what's going on?"
Just then Lavender remembered what Basanda had told her. With a new found strength she grabbed Miles and started to shake him.
"Miles we have to go back! We have to go back to Little Planet now!" she cried.
"What?!" replied Miles.
"She's going to kill them! She's going to kill them if we don't go back."
Miles face went pale.
"Then they're still alive?!" he cried.
"Yes but we have to go back right now!"
"How do you know this?" asked Andrew.
"She…she spoke to me though…through…" stuttered Lavender before she looked at the gem again, "…through that! Through that gem! She spoke to me through it!"
"Lavender if we go back we could get killed ourselves."
"We won't! She told me so! We have to go back." cried Lavender.
"Wait a second!" cried Andrew, "You're not going anywhere! You're staying right here with me."
Lavender turned towards him. Andrew had his gun out again and was pointing it at them.
"We have to! We have to stop her before she harms anyone else! You say she attacked you, this is your chance to stop her before she hurts anyone else. Please! Please help us." she cried.
Andrew starred at her, his gun still aimed at them both. It was true he wanted to get revenge on this echidna, she had shot him for starts, killed many at the dig site and was probably responsible for the bases destruction, but he didn't quite know what to do about it. If he went with these furries he'd definitely be branded a traitor by the Alliance, hunted down and eventually caught by them. But if they thought he was dead they wouldn't find out he had switched sides. Maybe he could switch sides, get his revenge and make it back in time for the Alliance to pick him up? No they'd ask too many questions, they'd find out! Lavender just looked at him, her face full of pleading and worry and Andrew found himself slowly agreeing to her cause. At length he lowered his side arm and looked away.
"I'm going to get court marshalled for this…get in." he said.
"Thank you!" replied Lavender quietly as she slowly climbed into the jeep.
Miles was a little tentative but was soon sitting in the back of the jeep. For a moment Andrew sat rubbing his forehead and thinking about his choice. Finally he started the jeep and started to drive in the direction Lavender had instructed.
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It was early morning as the jeep slowly approached Little Planet. The sun hadn't rose yet but there was a gentle glow on the eastern horizon, not enough to give any light but it was there. Andrew was just holding the wheel driving, he hadn't spoken since they had set off. He was too involved in his thoughts and the decision he had made. Miles had been watching Andrew closely. He didn't trust him one bit but then he didn't trust any Earth person, not since his imprisonment on the Phantom. Lavender was just sitting quietly in her chair. She was running over what Basanda had said to her. Them or herself, she had to choose. She couldn't let her kill them, she just couldn't. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked ahead. The black shape of Little Planet hung in the sky not so far off, however the black didn't come from the shadow of the Planet. Something dark had descended on Little Planet, on the whole of Mobius, Basanda.
Andrew drove the jeep round the lake and finally found his way up the point of land to the transporter. He stopped the jeep and looked at Lavender.
"This right?" he asked.
Lavender nodded in response and Andrew looked up.
"So she's up there eh? She won't escape that's for sure."
Lavender was already out of the jeep and walking over to the transporter. Miles quickly jumped out of the back of the jeep and ran towards her.
"Hey Lavender wait up!" he cried but it was too late.
Lavender reached the transporter and in a flash disappeared from view. Miles ran to the transporter and cursed.
"Damn! This thing takes a bit of time to charge between transports! Dammit Lavender why didn't you wait?!" he cried looking upwards.
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With another flash, Lavender found herself on the surface of Little Planet. Looking around she could see that it was different. The radiant glow of the place was gone and instead a dull blackness covered the ground. Not one living plant or tree was present as far as she could see, they were all withered and dead. She continued to look around and finally saw a sight that made her eyes water. Clustered together not so far off were her friends. She made a slight yelp of joy and ran towards them crying their names. As she drew near Amy lifted her head.
"No Lavender! Don't come any closer, it's a…"
Her warning came too late. Lavender hit an invisible barrier and, with a scream, flew back hitting the ground a few meters away. She moaned softly to herself before a chuckle filled the air. Lavender looked up as Basanda walked into view. She wasn't facing Lavender but turned her head to look down at her.
"Welcome guardian, are you ready?" she asked.
Lavender just lay propped up on the ground looking at her. Her emotion was scarred but determined at the same time.
"Let them go first!" she said.
"I'm sorry I can't do that." replied Basanda.
"Huh? But you said…"
"I know what I said but I've been thinking. What point is there in letting them go when I will just have to destroy them later? Once you're part of me nothing will stand in my way and Mobius will fall under my power. When that happens everyone and everything on this planet will be mine to do with as I wish."
"But…"
"Ah foolish little guardian. You really do not understand the world around you, you're far too trusting."
Basanda turned and started to walk towards her. Lavender started to skitter backwards across the ground until her back met a large rock. She flattened herself against it and starred up at Basanda. The echidna stood over her now and slowly she bent down to knelt next to her. She ran a finger over her cheek and smiled slowly. It was just like earlier when Basanda had contacted her.
"Now then, shall we begin?" said Basanda.
Lavender didn't even have time to answer as Basanda grabbed her chin with one hand and flattened her other hand against the mark on her forehead. A searing pain shot through Lavender's body causing her to scream like she had never screamed before. All around her she could feel the planet fading away. She slowly started to loose the feeling of the Vault, she couldn't sense it anymore, she couldn't sense the Chaos Emeralds or the Time Stones or the Deep Power Stones. She couldn't feel anything and all the time the pain filled her body. When Lavender thought it couldn't go on any longer Basanda slowly removed her hand and staggered backwards. Lavender collapsed over forwards onto her arm and lay for a moment not moving. Slowly she started to prop herself up and gasped. Her arm was no longer white in colour, it was grey. She checked the rest of her body which also turned out to be grey and behind her a small total of three tails. She began to shake slightly, what had happened to her. Basanda chuckled.
"So that's what you looked like before your change, interesting." she said letting out a long sigh, "All this power! I can feel it swelling inside me. The Vault of Forever, I never knew it was so rich in energy!"
Lavender didn't even reply, she was too wrapped up in what had just happened to her. She could no longer feel the Vault or any of Mobius' energies. She was exactly like she had been before her transformation. Just then there was a flash and a voice cried out.
"Lavender!"
Lavender slowly looked round to see Miles charging towards her with Andrew running behind. Miles made it to her side and started to cradle her. He kept looking over her from top to tail in astonishment.
"Lavender what happened to you? What's going on?" he asked.
"I've drained her." answered Basanda turning towards them, "And I think I'll continue by disposing of you."
Basanda quickly spun her staff round and caught Miles cleanly in the jaw with the blade. Miles would have screamed if the hit hadn't dislocated his jaw and caused his throat to fill with blood. He spun through the air and landed with a crunch on the ground before spitting up a large amount of blood. Andrew quickly drew his sidearm and fired.
"Die you stinking bitch!" he screamed.
"How quaint." replied Basanda.
She flicked her hand throwing the shots back at Andrew. Andrew was ready this time and managed to leap out of the way of most of them but was still hit. He landed with a thud and a groan. As this had happened Lavender had crawled over to Miles. She gently shook him.
"Miles? Miles wake up!" she said softly.
She got no reply from him and her eyes started to stream slightly. How could all this be happening? How could she have let it happen? It was her job to protect Mobius and she had failed. Raising her head to the sky she screamed.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!"
Just then the sun broke the horizon filling the area with light and a large white flash erupted from Andrew's fallen form. Swirls of pure white energy leaped into the air filling it with light. Several of the swirls impacted on Basanda and she was thrown to the ground with a scream. Moments later the flash dissipated and shrunk to a point inside one of Andrew's pockets. There was a moment of silence and suddenly a white coloured gem flew from his pocket and into the sky. It hovered for a moment in the air shining brightly. Basanda slowly got to her feet and starred at it before looking at Lavender.
"YOU!" she cried, "Oh no you don't!"
She charged towards Lavender, swinging her staff out as she did. Lavender was still in a state of shock and didn't even attempt to move as the swipe came in. Just as the blade came within a few inches of her face the white gem shot across the area and intercepted the blade. Basanda's entire staff glowed a bright white colour and a sudden smell of burning flesh filled the air. Basanda screamed and jumped back dropping the staff as she did. She slowly looked at her hands, they were so badly burned they were almost black in colour. The gem itself fell into Lavender's lap and for a moment the situation around her faded from her mind. She reached forward for the gem and slowly wrapped her hand round it. As she did another bright flash lit the area followed by nine huge yellow pulses. Looking at her arm, Lavender could see that they had gone white in colour again and behind her nine yellow tipped tails pulsed brightly. She looked at Basanda and then felt a familiar feeling enter her mind again. The feeling of the Vault and the planets energy slowly started to fill her mind again and she slowly got to her feet. As she did the gem gave a bright glow and started to hum slightly. Lavender began to feel an odd sensation in her back, making her close her eyes and arch her back, standing on her tip toes, as two huge waves of blue energy erupted from her back. They arced straight upwards and then curled back round before flashing and taking their final form. Everyone in the area who could gasped at the sight. A huge set of pale blue wings were now visible behind Lavender and slowly a large golden coloured halo appeared above her head. She opened her eyes again but the kitsune appeared to be in some sort of a trance. Basanda was glaring at her.
"What is this?! BAH! No matter, you really think you can stop me now?" she cried.
Swinging her arms up her body began to glow black. Moments later a long tail swung up around her. It looked just like an echidna tail but was much longer and split slightly at the end making a fork shape. In addition to this two red quills pushed their way up through her hair making it almost look like she had horns and her eyes literally set ablaze with black fire.
"You think you're the only one who can do that eh? Guess again."
Swinging her arms back down two waves of black fire flew from the path they had taken and shot towards Lavender. Lavender raised her nose slightly and let out a single note. It was the cleanest and crispest note anyone had ever heard and touched everyone to the very core. A glow started to surround her as she kept the note going and as the fire touched her it reflected off vanishing into nothing. Basanda seemed slightly shocked by this but didn't let up as she performed a slightly spun and grabbed her staff. Swinging it round she carved a gapping black gash in the air. The gash sparked and a flurry of black coloured bolts flew towards Lavender. Lavender swung her new wings wide and gave one single downwards stroke. The force was incredible and sent her flying straight upwards into the air making all the bolts miss. As she flew upwards she flung her hand up causing her body to light up in a massive flash of light. A second later a volley of white coloured bolts shot from her body raining down on the area around her. A few of these bolt hit Basanda who had turned away to shield her eyes from the flash. She fell to her knees dropping her staff as she did and finally looked up.
"So that's how you want to play is it?!" she screamed grabbing her staff again.
With a hard swing she stood up and smashed her staff off the ground. The force sent her flying upwards into the sky with Lavender. For a moment the two stopped and watched each other, neither wanting to make the next move. Basanda was finally the first to move as she swung her staff up and threw it heavily towards the ground. As the staff hit the ground it dug in and a massive burst of black energy waves flew from the ground. Lavender was caught right in the middle of them and almost fell back to the ground. Basanda used this opportunity to fire a spray of bolt at Lavender this time causing her to fall to the ground. Lavender hit the deck with such a force she created a small crater. Basanda soon followed and dived to the ground landing in a straddle over the top of Lavender. Her eyes burned fiercely but Lavender just looked up calmly at her.
"And now I'll finish you off I think." said Basanda chuckling.
Basanda drew her hand back but stopped. Lavender was gently shaking her head, her eyes gently closed. She stopped shaking her head and slowly opened her eyes. As she did she also opened her mouth and a gentle sound filled the air. It grew in intensity and volume for a few second before Lavender finally screamed. A huge pulse of energy flew from her body throwing Basanda off her with such force she flew a good twenty meters. Lavender quickly got to her feet and started to glow. Waves of energy started to ripple across the ground heading in towards her and then encircling her body forming into a ball above her. Basanda slowly picked herself up but wasn't even expecting what came next. Lavender raised her arms above her head and with a swift move swung them down to point at Basanda as she cried out again. The ball of energy above her was joined by more ripples from the ground as it travelled along her arm and outwards from her hand in a giant beam. Basanda had no chance of ever dodging and was frozen solid inside the beam of energy. The beam continued for what seemed like an eternity and all the while Basanda screamed. The screamed filled the entire air and soon went so high pitched no-one could hear it. A black glow surrounded Basanda but it was ripped away by the beam before it tapered off. Lavender's arms slumped to her side and she nearly collapsed as it stopped but Basanda was worse. She was still screaming loudly and you could see why. A faint black mist was seeping from her person and slowly dispersing into nothing as it flowed out of her. Finally her body gave a black glow and the mist disappeared. Moments later the seven Chaos Emeralds, the Master Emerald and a black gem fell from her body and clattered to the floor. It was only a second before Basanda collapsed herself into a heap on the floor. The long tail and extra quills shrunk back and vanished making her look just like she had before. Lavender's wing too disappeared as did the halo and a white gem fell to the ground next to her. She wavered on her feet but managed to stagger over to where Basanda lay before collapsing.
"Basanda?" she said softly nudging her.
The echidna moaned in response and turned her head slightly to look at her. As she did Lavender got a full look at her face. Basanda's eyes were still black in colour but they looked soft and kind, her expression had lost the evil glare it had had before.
"Lavender." she said slowly, "Thank you for ending it."
"What…?"
Basanda put a finger to her lips.
"Quiet please Lavender. I know you want to ask question but if you do I won't have time to tell. I'm free Lavender and I owe it all to you." she said.
"Free from what" asked Lavender.
"The torment. The day by day, year by year, millennia by millennia torment Lavender. It all started many years ago when the planet was still new and fresh. People lived in peace and harmony with the planet until our race changed. We became dark and everything changed. We lived for one purpose, to use the dark force to do our bidding, anything that got in our way we destroyed, anyone who got in our way we killed, it was a dark time. During this time the Master Emerald was made. Over time small amounts of energy were drained from it creating the seven Chaos Emeralds. All of them were used for evil like nothing anyone has ever seen before or since."
Basanda stopped to cough slightly before continuing.
"But there was a group of us who refused to go down that path. We lived on the southern peninsula of our races territory, what you used to call the Floating Island. We were always prayed upon by the rest of our race. They couldn't bring themselves to kill us but they robbed, raped and destroyed anything and everything that was dear to us. After a time we resided to the fact that we would forever be like this until one day we heard of something that made us finally stand up and rally together. The rest of our race had made and deployed a huge space station capable of collecting the energy from a planetary alignment. They were going to use this to feed the dark force they served and make it unstoppable. We couldn't sit back and wait as they conquered the entire planet and so we made a decision to act. On the day of the alignment we charged the facility they were using. Many of us died there and then on the defensive wall but a few of us including myself managed to slip inside. We found the main control room and disrupted the procedure. The space station collected the energy but due to our changes the Master Emerald was not able to handle the immense amount of energy being directed at it. It changed polarity and instead of amplifying the Chaos Emeralds powers it dampened them. Most of the rest of our race were so in tune with the dark power of the Chaos Emeralds that this drop in energy killed them."
Basanda coughed again and continued in a quieter voice than before.
"However something else happened. As the Master Emerald changed it produced so much energy that a further two Chaos Emeralds were made as its energy escaped. The dark force saw its chance and jumped into one of the new Emeralds turning it completely black. I'm not sure how the other Emerald was formed, maybe it was a natural reaction of balancing energy, but the other Emerald absorbed the essence of positive energy and turned white. The white and black, positive and negative, Emeralds were created. However not all of the dark force made it inside of the Emerald. Small chunks of it like you encountered a few years ago survived in isolated pockets all over Mobius, unable to do anything because of the dampening power of the new Master Emerald."
"But what happened to you?" asked Lavender.
"I was…captured whilst escaping. The echidna elders were strong enough to withstand the sudden change in energies and they caught me. They took me deep into the facility into the catacombs of the place. There I met my destiny, a piece of the dark force. They gave me to it and…and it took over my mind. I'd never felt pain like it before in my life. After it was done they sealed me in the chamber with the black and white Emeralds and left me. The rest of my people must have escaped with the Master and Chaos Emeralds."
Basanda stopped and looked at Lavender. She reached out her hand towards the kitsune and Lavender took hold of it in her hand.
"Thank you so much for ending it Lavender. The torment is finally over." she said.
"What do you mean? You're going to be ok right?" asked Lavender.
Basanda shook her head.
"No I can't go on. When the dark force was driven from my body it took with it a part of me that I cannot live without, my soul. That's where it resided inside me, corrupting my very soul to control me. I can feel myself slipping away even now."
"No…"
"Lavender do not grieve for me. It is best this way. I do not belong in this time and my presence would only bring anger anyway. It will be good to finally rest in peace Lavender. Be glad for me, be glad."
Lavender could feel the tears swelling in her eyes.
"Lavender don't cry. Please take my staff as a token of my gratitude for what you've done. Guard it and this planet well."
"Good bye Basanda." said Lavender quietly a tear trickling down her face.
"Good bye Lavender, and thank you."
With that Basanda's eyes slowly fluttered closed and her breathing faded to nothing. Lavender gulped and pulled back her tears as she lay down beside the echidna and snuggled into her side.