Chapter 11 – The Calling

I fell. Distance seemed to float away as it seemed to continue for ever. An endless void. Nothing but black. My eyes slowly started to grow accustom to the darkness and slowly shapes started to form. Strange twisted shapes of familiar things. My room at university, my family, my friends and others. Suddenly one image caught my eye and I locked my vision on it. As I seemed to fall past it, it shimmered and became clearer. The image of a small crystal like object. Colour started to fill the area as the crystal took on an icy blue colour….cyan! The cyan Chaos Emerald! The gem expanded and soon filled my vision but continued to grow. As I continued to watch I lost track of the edges and slowly started to feel colder. The cold continued to grow and soon I couldn't feel my legs and arms. Still it continued and I started to feel light headed. A few moments later I felt my consciousness falling away when suddenly a bright flame leaped into my mind. The flame started to burn brightly, bringing me back to my senses. My arms and legs started to warm at the flame. I knew this feeling but how? It had never happened before. Just then a thought touched my mind. But it wasn't mine…

"Hello." it said.

"W…what?" I replied slightly worried.

"You seem distressed. I am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"No no! It's ok." I replied in a panicky voice.

Why was I panicking? What was so important about this voice?

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Don't you know yourself?" replied the thought.

I stopped for a moment. I did know what this voice was.

"The emerald." I replied.

"Yes. I am the essence of the cyan emerald. I always hoped that this day would come. All of my brother also hope for this day but I am the first. I know that I am the first."

"The first what?"

"The first to truly find a home."

"A home?"

"Yes, with you."

"What do you mean with me?"

"Did you not sense I was different when you picked me up? You have touched my brothers too and none of them felt different. You are my guardian."

"Your guardian?"

It all made sense. From the moment I had picked up the cyan emerald I had felt something different. A feeling of belonging and understanding.

"I am your guardian. I can feel it. But how?" I asked.

"All will become clear in time. Just trust in yourself and your feelings. They will never lead you astray. And now that I am here….wait."

"What is it?"

"There is someone else here. Someone is nearby. They are…..NO! Don't do it!"

"What is it?!"

"They are taking me away! I don't want to leave! I want to stay with you! Make them stop!"

"I'll stop them!"

"Help me!"

I tried to move but found I couldn't. The flame in my mind started to fade away as did the vision of the emerald around me. Soon it was no bigger than it was and the darkness had returned. All I could do was watch as the emerald disappeared from view.

"NO!" I cried.

The blackness became so dark I lost sight of even myself. Suddenly I hit something hard and cold.

I slowly opened my eyes to find myself lying on a stone floor. My face hurt from the impact with the ground as I slowly turned my eyes to look around. My last vision was seeing Klime locking a metal barred door and walking away with my sword as Jynx examined a cyan coloured gem in his hand.

"No." I said weakly before I passed out again.

I woke a little while later with a throbbing headache. I spent a few minutes lying on the floor sobbing quietly to myself. Slowly I propped myself up on my hands and looked around through my tear soaked eyes. I was locked in some sort of dungeon cell. I continued to look round and saw Klim lying on the floor a few feet away. Looks like he didn't win either I thought to myself. I then looked at myself. There wasn't a single battle scar on me. I drew myself up to my knees and leaned back against a wall with my legs crossed. I sat and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Thoughts of the emerald kept coming back to me and I felt helpless and naked without my sword. Suddenly Klim gave a groan. I glanced over but didn't get up.

"Wha? Where am I?" groaned Klim.

"A dungeon cell." I replied mournfully.

Klim slowly turned to look at me. He smiled.

"Well at least you're ok. I thought you might have died in that explosion." he said.

"I was worried about you too when I woke up but by the look of things that Jynx chappy healed us." I said, "This still isn't a good situation. I'm putting my money on interrogation here."

"Yeah and if they listen like they did earlier we really are in trouble."

"Exactly."

I watched as Klim got up and walked over to the bars.

"I think I can break these." he said.

"I bet you could but what would you do afterwards? They've taken our weapons and emeralds." I said slowly hanging my head in sorrow.

I hear Klim groan as he hit the bars.

"Guess we're stuck then." he said.

"Sure looks like it." I replied still hanging my head.

"Wonder how long this is going to last."

"Could be hours."

"Sure hope Kat's ok."

"Me too."

Time continued to drag by. For me it seemed longer. Time seemed to slow down to a snails pace. All my thoughts dwelled on the cyan emerald and I found myself not wanting to do anything. The occasional 'yeah' or 'uh huh' slipped out in reply to a few of Klim's questions and statements but other than that the cell was deadly silent. Suddenly a loud yell split the air.

"Jynx! I can't believe what you just said!"

Slowly I raised my head at the noise and pricked up my ears.

"Well maybe you should have told me what they had said to you BEFORE you said to attack them! It all makes sense to me!"

I looked over at Klim who was pressed against the bars.

"You hear that Lynx?" he said.

"Yeah." I replied with no emotion, "Sounds like Jynx is pissed at Klime and Klime is equally ticked."

A few moments later I heard footsteps approaching our cell. Klim backed away from the bars as Jynx and Klime came into view.

"Jynx stop!" cried Klime, "You can't just let them go! They…"

"Shut up!" growled Jynx, "They don't looks like any allies of Robotnik."

"Of course not! They look like US! Almost exactly like us!" replied Klime putting himself between Jynx and the cell.

"Yeah I noticed. Almost! If Robotnik had made clones don't you think they would have been just like us? EXACTLY like us?"

"Maybe he messed up!"

"Unlikely at best. Come on Klime! Robotnik has been around as far back as I can remember and during that time he has created so many different things it is unbelievable. He rarely ever fails in perfection."

"But…"

"No buts Klime. I'm letting them out and that the end of it."

Jynx took a step forward and threw Klime out of the way. Seconds later the lock exploded on its own and Jynx gave the door a kick sending it crashing to the floor.

"Come on, out!" ordered Jynx, "We need to talk."

As I got to my feet slowly I could see that Klime was still totally ticked off. He shot a glance at us and sneered.

"I know you work for Robotnik, you can't fool me." he said and walked off after Jynx.

I walked out of the cell and waited for Klim.

"Talk about unexpected." said Klim as he stopped next ot me.

"Uh huh!" I agreed with a nod.

"So we gonna stay here and rot or follow them?" asked Klim.

"Let's go." I said motioning with my head, "And let's not try to provoke then."

We followed a passage and climbed a flight of stairs before we made it to a large room with a long table in it. A fire burned in a corner and a thick carpet lined the floor. I saw Jynx and Klime still arguing next to the table but they soon shut up as we walked over and sat down at the table.

"Ok first things first. What are your names?" asked Jynx.

"Klim's the name." said Klim.

"And I'm Lynx." I replied.

"Fakers…" muttered Klime as he rolled his eyes.

"Ok and now to the actual business." said Jynx taking out an old book.

It was rather tatty looking but was still in good condition for its apparent age. Jynx started to flick through it.

"What you gonna do Jynx? A nice torture spell perhaps?" asked Klime.

"Klime, what's with all the vicious behaviors recently? Stop it." said Jynx looking over at him slightly, "Ok here it is."

I suddenly started feeling a bit nervous. I was just glad that it wasn't Klime in charge of the book. That torture spell didn't sound like a picnic.

"What you going to do?" I asked slowly.

"Just a simple truth spell. Don't worry it won't hurt or have any lasting effects." replied Jynx as balls of light formed in each of his palms.

He threw one at Klim and one at me. We both stood there as the orb hit us. Even if I had wanted to dodge I just didn't feel up to it. I just didn't feel whole without my sword and the…

"Ok now then." said Jynx, "First off. Are you allies of Robotnik?"

"Nope." I said as I saw Klim shaking his head.

"LIES!" cried Klime, "You're spell isn't working Jynx."

"Klime shut up! Don't make me put a silence spell on you again. Your insistent screaming is giving me a head ache!"

Another two orbs flew at us and Jynx asked his question again and got the same reply. Klime looked like he was having a fit.

"Maybe they don't know they are working for Robotnik." he said trying to accuse us another way.

"Possibly." replied Jynx, "He could be influencing them another way."

"Then this spell is pointless. If they think they are telling the truth we still won't know."

"Then maybe if we told you the full story you would understand." I said glaring at Klime.

"Might help." said Klim.

"Very well then." said Jynx sitting down in a chair.

His hand glowed and a mug of coffee appeared in it. I blinked.

"Nice trick. You gotta show me that sometime." I said with a laugh, "Anyway…"

Soon afterwards both myself and Klim had launched into a full and detailed explanation of what had happened to us so far. The looks on Jynx's and Klime's faces were priceless at some points. It wasn't long before we were nearing the end.

"And then after we cleared that little exploding cloud trap of yours we ended up in here. You will know the rest." I finished.

Jynx leaned back in his chair and fell silent for a moment.

"Well your tail does sound convincing." he said at length, "And you didn't attack until we did."

"I can't believe you are believing this!" cried Klime totally astounded, "It's a trick."

"For this worlds version of me you aren't too bright." said Klim with a smile.

Oh god Klim! You and your big mouth!

"Shut up faker!" roared Klim drawing his daggers, "I'll cleave you in two for that!"

"Guys will you calm down please!" groaned Jynx.

"Yeah! That was a bit uncalled for Klim!" I said in support.

There was a moment silence before something I just didn't expect happened.

"Klime." said Klim, "Wanna go one on one?"

"Be my pleasure!" growled Klime, "I'll be sure to finish you off this time."

"KLIM! What are you going?!" I cried as I spun to him in distress.

"Lynx this might be the only way I can get him to believe me. It'll be okay. Besides I can take him." replied Klim.

"Yeah right." cried Klime getting ready to attack.

"STOP IT!" roared Jynx.

The very ground seemed to vibrate at his cry. Everyone including myself stopped and looked at him.

"If you are going to fight don't do it in here. You will completely destroy the place. Go to the arena down the corridor." said Jynx indicating towards an opened door.

As he did Klime shot off out of the room. Klim turned to Jynx.

"Take this." said Jynx taking hold of Klim's spear from a corner of the room and throwing it at him. "You'll need it but please don't kill him. Make him understand."

"What about my Chaos Emerald?" asked Klim catching his spear.

"No." said Jynx shaking his head. "He is not using one so neither should you. Go now, Lynx and I will stay and discuss things here."

"Very well." replied Klim walking over to the door, "Wish me luck."

I watched as Klim shot off and turned back to Jynx. Now that I was alone with my alternate self I started to feel slightly uneasy. For some reason I could feel the magical aura around him. Jynx was looking at the door.

"I hope nothing too bad happens." he said.

"To either of them." I continued.

Jynx looked at me. His gaze was piercing at best.

"Why do you care about Klime?" he asked.

"Why shouldn't I?" I replied, "It not as if he is my enemy."

"He doesn't feel the same about you."

"And what do you feel?" I asked.

"To tell you the truth I'm not sure. There is a certain believability about your tale but I am still cautious."

"Makes sense." I said walking over to a window.

The sun was now setting but because we were on top of the mountain it's light still filled all the windows. I sighed.

"What's wrong?" asked Jynx.

"I just feel so lonely." I replied.

"What about your traveling buddy?" said Jynx.

"Not that type of loneliness. It's different."

"I think I understand what you are getting at." said Jynx pulling out my sword from behind his chair.

I spun and starred at him and then the sword. It was almost calling my name. Jynx took hold of the sheath with one hand and pulled the sword out with the other. The blade started to pulse a deep blue and I felt a strong sense of revulsion. Jynx looked closely at the blade, examining the engraved carving of nine tails on it.

"I must say that this blade intrigued me when I saw it." he said, "I've never seen anything like it before. Such fine craftsmanship and interesting properties."

My breathing started to quicken. If it hadn't been for Jynx's magic ability I would have knocked him over and taken my sword back. Instead I stood and watched longingly. Jynx saw my condition.

"I see you have some sort of bond with this sword. Interesting." he said.

"Can I have it back?" I asked slowly.

"I'm afraid not. I still do not totally trust you."

"What do I have to do to convince you?"

"I'm not sure, and even if I was you would have to figure it out yourself."

"I need it back! Please!"

I was starting to get desperate now. It hadn't been so bad when I didn't know he had it. But now the pain of not having my sword was really starting to distress me.

"You could always take it." said Jynx.

"I don't want to fight you." I replied.

"Why? Afraid of losing?"

"No, I just don't want to fight you."

"Uh huh." said Jynx, "Then maybe you can explain something else to me?"

Jynx turned again and slowly drew out a cyan coloured gem. I almost screamed in agony.

"This particular Chaos Emerald was glowing very brightly when I took it from you. I want to know why." asked Jynx.

I couldn't take it. My sword and the cyan Chaos Emerald both within an arms reach. It was too much. No I wouldn't fight him, I couldn't. Just then something turned the tables. Help me came a voice in my head. It was…

"I'm coming emerald!" I said.

"Huh?" asked Jynx.

"I'M COMING EMERALD!" I screamed as I launched myself forwards.

Jynx mustn't have been ready and only narrowly dodged my dive. I hit the floor with a thud and spun my head. Jynx was standing there looking at me cautiously.

"So that's what this is about." he said, "Hmm."

"Give me that emerald!" I cried at him as I scrambled to my feet and dived at him again.

Jynx stepped to the side and dodged again but I wasn't deterred. I spun and dived once more. The next thing I knew I had sailed across the room and hit the wall. Jynx lowered his hand as I slowly got to my feet.

"That was only a repulsion spell. It could have been a lot worst. Now you will explain what your business is with this emerald!" he said.

"My business is between me and the emerald!" I cried, "No-one else is involved."

"So you are saying this emerald is alive? Impossible. The Chaos Emeralds are merely sources of energy."

Help me came the cry again.

"It is alive! Give it to me!" I screamed.

I ran at him again and found myself face first into another wall. I got up again to see that Jynx now looked slightly angered.

"You had better stop. If you want this emerald that badly you either are working for Robotnik or have some weird fixation."

"Weird fixation?! I'll show you weird fixation!" I screamed as I charged again.

Again Jynx threw me away and I landed on the table in the middle of the room. I slid off it and landed in a heap on the floor. I can't do this I thought, he's too strong. You can do it came an answering though, you are my guardian.

"You're right, I am!" I cried leaping up again.

"Please stop." said Jynx, "I'll end up hurting you otherwise."

"Perhaps not." I said.

As I said that I felt a surge of energy flow through me. It was the emerald! I know it was the emerald. I shot a glance over at my sword and, to my surprise, it shot from the chair Jynx had put it on and landed in my hand. As it did the blade turned a deep cyan colour and started to humm. A small wind started to build up around me containing small fragments of ice. My fur stuck up on end as the wind continued to build around me. Jynx was so surprise that he didn't do a thing but watch in awe. The emerald in Jynx's hand started to glow brighter as the vortex of wind around me changed to a vertical alignment above me. The ice in it built gradually and soon became a swirling tunnel of white.

"Now." I said deeply, "Give…me….that….EMERALD!"

I leaped forwards at Jynx and as I did the tunnel of ice shot forwards too. It struck Jynx directly in the chest and sent him flying back against the far wall. My charge didn't stop as I dove forwards with my sword. Jynx, partially frozen to the wall had no hope of dodging and my sword went straight through his chest. His eyes went wide and he took a gasping breath as I bent over him. I took the emerald from his hand and slowly I felt myself returning to normal.

"I did it emerald." I said.

Yes but at what cost? it said in response.

I looked down at Jynx. My sword was still imbedded in his chest and he was breathing in short sharp gasps. I gasped.

"No!" I cried as I collapsed next to him, "I didn't want to do this! I didn't want to fight you! WHY DID YOU MAKE ME FIGHT YOU?!"

Jynx just looked at me, a look of complete shock on his face. It sent a chill down my back. Jynx gave a few more sharp breaths and fell silent. My lower lip started to tremble as I collapsed into a heap on the floor. I started to sob loudly.

"NO!" I cried, "Why did I do this?! WHY?!"

All is not lost, there is still a way.

"What way? I've killed him! I have killed my own self!"

I am sorry. I feel responsible for this. I was so desperate to get back to you that I willed you on past the point where you could control yourself.

"How could you?! If I am to protect you I must do it on my own. If you help me then….THEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN!" I cried through my sobs.

I sat up slowly and looked at the lifeless form of Jynx.

"If only I had my green emerald! I could have saved him!" I said.

You still might.

"How?"

Use me to focus on my green brother. I will try to reach him.

"Ok I will try."

I looked at the emerald and then at Jynx. I would do this! I had to! I closed my eyes and channeled my thought into the cyan emerald. As I did I felt my thoughts shifting. They spread out in every direction searching, searching for the green emerald. Just then my thought felt it, the green emerald. I focused on it and slowly felt its calming power enter my mind.

Grip your sword said the emerald.

I did and suddenly the blade started to glow green. I looked at the emerald to see it also glowing green. The light continued to increase and a steady humm filled the room.

Get ready. When I say pull it out.

I nodded but continued to concentrate. I felt the emerald power steadily increasing and gritted my teeth.

NOW!

With a sharp tug I pulled my sword from Jynx's chest just as a bright green flash filled the room. Jynx suddenly gasped and sat up as the life flowed back into him. His eyes went wide as he looked around. He fixed on me. I knew what I had to do. I placed the emerald and my sword down on the ground next to Jynx and stood up. I took a few steps backwards and closed my eyes.

"I have no right to be that emeralds guardian anymore." I said, "Not after this. Jynx I am at your mercy. Do as you wish."

I heard Jynx slowly getting up and walking towards me. I braced myself for what might come. What actually came was unexpected. I jumped as Jynx's hand landed on my shoulder and slowly opened my eyes. Jynx stood there with a small smile on his face.

"Jynx?" I said.

"There is no need to do this to yourself." he said.

"Wha…what?"

"The emerald. It spoke to me in my head. It told me about itself and you. I think I understand what happened now. It was not your fault. And now I do trust you fully. Now pick up your emerald and sword."

Jynx's words stunned me. Slowly I bent over and picked up my sword and the emerald. Jynx had walked over to the table and when he returned he held my swords sheath in his hands. He gave it to me and I returned my sword to its home. I quickly slung it around my waist and put the cyan emerald away. Jynx smiled at me.

"You really are just like me." he said.

"I'm sorry." I replied hanging my head.

"Lynx it's ok. Honestly it is. I know now that what you said really was true and what just happened was out of your control. Just promise me something."

"Yes."

"Never do that to me again. Being dead sucks."

I let out a small chuckle which Jynx soon joined in. That did it. I burst into a fit of laughter and had to steady myself on a chair to avoid falling over. It looked like Jynx was in a similar situation. Maybe he really was like me? I had no time to ponder and the laughter stopped a second later as a call rung the air.

"Lynx?" it said as Klim stumbled through the door and collapsed…