Rising of Darkness
fanfic by Daniel Wheeler
Katrina and Kathleen, Orzone, and related characters (C) BreeAnn Barlow
Preface: A Letter From The Author
Dear Reader(s),
Thanks for taking some of your time to take a look at this fanfic. I'd also like to thank you for reading some of my other stories (assuming you did). I extend my thanks as well to those who shared ideas to help me write this story. This is (I hope) the biggest Sonic story to date, and I needed all the help I could get.
As you know, my first series takes place in a Five Mobian Year Period after Robotnik's destruction and before the coming of a villain far worse than Enerjak, Mammoth Mogul, Naugus, or any other villain Sonic and his friends met before. This story is to end this first series. Just as I started that series with a bang when I wrote "Sonic Thunder", I wanted to end it with a bang with this story. The Zone Ideas I combined into megazones, which are like miniature Sonic Games. Well, without further ado, on with the story.
Take care, and God Bless!
- Danny Wheeler
Prelude: The Villainous Reunion
One night, in the Transylvanian land of Noctoterra, a powerful vampiress was reviving one of her past servants. In a ritual cave just below her castle, she recited an uncanny chant until a sickeningly familiar figure rose from the pool of blood-colored slime. It was Robotnik! Since the Doomsday Machine, aka the Ultimate Annihalator, destroyed his original body, the vampiress had to reassemble his body with her magic.
"W-W-What am I doing her?," said Robotnik. "This place looks familiar! I--," he looked and saw the one who brought him back. "Countess Fulva!"
The Red Fox Vampiress said, "So, the prodigal has returned!" "Oh, very funny!," snapped Robotnik, "If you weren't the one who's been blown to pieces by a blue rodent, you'd think it was very funny, huh?" Fulva was enlightened. "Who is this 'Blue Rodent'?," she asked. Robotnik said with a sigh, "Sonic the Hedgehog! He did this to me! If I could, I would destroy him as he destroyed me!" "Hmm...," thought Fulva, "If what you say is true, I could use him for my own dark plans. We must go to our rest. I'll have a coffin prepared for you, and tomorrow night, I'll--" Robotnik interrupted, "Coffin?!"
"Yes!," replied Fulva, "For you are now a Nosferatu!" She continued, "Anyway, tomorrow night, I'll teleport him (and maybe some of his friends) to Noctoterra. Now, as long as you are my servant, I forbid you to harm Sonic or his friends! Do you understand?" Robotnik grumbled, "Yes, m'lady!" And they went to sleep for tomorrow night.
Chapter 1: Gathering In Noctoterra
The next day, in Mobotropolis, Sonic, Sally, Tails, Antoine, Bunnie, and Rotor were having a picnic in the Palace Garden, with Amy Rose, the Wolf Pack Freedom Fighters, the Downunda Freedom Fighters, Ari, Knuckles and the Chaotix, and the Forty Fathom Freedom Fighters (who were in a special aquarium prepared just for them. It was a big aquarium, since they needed the extra size for Fluke). Suddenly, all except the Forty Fathom Freedom Fighters vanished into thin air. "Hey! Where'd they go?," said Fluke. "I don't know," said Ray, "but I have a bad feeling about where they've been taken to!" "I'm afraid I know where they are," said Queen Acorn, who was recently rescued by Sonic prior to his battle with the Red Scarves. "They are in (gulp) Noctoterra! I know, because I sensed my husband being taken there too!"
They recovered in a mysterious temple-like cavern. It was nighttime in where they were now. As soon as they got to the bottom, where the front doors are, all of them stepped out, the last one came out just before the doors closed. A mysterious red fox girl greeted them. "You're alive!," said the girl. "There was only one survivor from that place before! How did you get here? Oh, I have so many questions, but I must get home soon. Noctoterra is such a dangerous place at night. The town is southeast of here. Be careful, there are many terrible creatures wandering the land. Good luck!" Before she left, she turned and said, "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you- My name is Felicia Fulva. I hope we can meet again soon. See you soon!" At that, the girl left.
King Acorn led everyone down to the town, and it was sunrise when they got there. Once they were inside, the townspeople stare at them in astonishment. The mayor of the town greeted them and said, "What brings you to Noctoterra?" King Acorn answered him, "We were pulled into this strange land by a mysterious force. We landed in something that looked like a temple and--" The people gasped. The mayor said, "Please do not mention the Dark Temple! It is bad luck to even mention it! All the same, welcome to our town! Please take a look around, if you need a place to stay for the night, visit the Noctoro Inn."
Sally looks at a mysterious crystal. A voice in the air surrounding it says, "I am the Star of Isis. If one wishes to have me, I first must make a sacrifice: To trade life for a loved one." The voice sent a shiver up the princess' spine. Sonic came to her and said, "What's with the goosebumps, Sal?" She replied, "Oh, nothing, Sonic." As they visited the townsfolk and told of themselves, they caught a glimpse of an old building. It was an old fort. They went inside and checked out some books on the tales of the land they were in.
Chapter 2: Legacy Of The Guardians and the Star of Isis
Sally picked up a book "Legends Of Noctoterra" and read through it. It tells of how the Shadows of Dark Mobius ravaged the land as well as the whole planet of Mobius. Then the book relates to the six original guardians and how they sent the leader and almost all of the Shadows back into Dark World Mobius. The six guardians were as follows:
Prince Quicksilver, who unmistakably looks like Sonic; Princess Crystal, who had a similar likeness of Sally; Prowus the Thief, who, with the exception of having only one tail, has the features that look like Tails'; Baron D'Coolette, who is obviously and distantly related to Antoine; Walarus the Cleric, who somewhat resembles Rotor; and Rabina the Healer, who, in a strange way, looks like Bunnie.
She flipped through a later chapter on the Star of Isis. It told of a mysterious woman who barely defeated the leader of a cult who wished to summon the Shadows back into the Light World. She created a crystal that would protect against the undead and would one day reveal its destiny. The only known fact of this mysterious woman was the name of her daughter, and this fact stunned Sally-- the daughter's name was... Julayla.
Chapter 3: First Night Attack
The Freedom Fighters checked into the Inn (it was a big inn, and a good thing-- there were a lot of Freedom Fighters to house!) and got a somewhat good night sleep, but it was interrupted by an explosion. The Freedom Fighters were awakened to see a dangerous cyborg duck. The creature shouted to them, "I am Flashquack, a Delta Prototype Shadowduck Warrior! Who wishes to challenge me?!" "I do, sugar!," shouted Bunnie as she tried to jump kick the beast. But it was a vain attempt as she got shocked by the cyborg's static field. Sonic took a close look and noticed a weak spot in the monster's armor: A red gem in the quasi-droid's abdomen. One Sonic Spin and the Shadowduck is out of action! He then disappeared into thin air.
A hole in the wall showed how the droid got in. They investigated and were again greeted by Felicia Fulva. "It is good to meet you again. You need to be more careful, you know. Night time is a dangerous time out in this land." "You're tellin' us!," said Tails, "The monster we faced almost totalled the village!" "That's all right," said Felicia, "As long as you are safe and happy, that's all that matters." She looked about and said, "I- I must go now. It is great to see you again, if only for one more time." And she walked off into the darkness. At that, the Freedom Fighters went back to the inn and back to sleep.
While the slept, voices echoed in their dreams.
A male, whisperlike voice said, "Do you see them?"
A female, familiar voice said, "Yes. They are asleep. I think they are in the hotel. But I do not know for sure; I have not used this vision spell in a long time.
The male voice said, "Why didn't you just grab them when you had the chance? These games you play are foolish!"
The female voice said, "Be quiet! To help us, it is best if the did things under their own free will. Why turn a willing helper into an enemy. Ah, that's right. They're already YOUR enemies giggle!"
"These are not people to fool with, I'm telling you. If they find out what we are up to, they'll never cooperate. Besides, you risk their death-- Noctoterra is a dangerous land!"
"I think they can take care of themselves. Besides, I have many ways to make them cooperate, as you know. I will use them only as a last resort."
The voices soon fade off as the sunrise approaches...
Chapter 4: Melody Joins In And Helps Her Friends
As they came down to the dining area, they were greeted by Melody and her family. "Melody!," cried Amy, "What brings you here?" The whole family, except for the grandparents, who are now at rest since the fall of Robotnik (first time around) was reunited ever since Melody found a Resurrect Pendant. Melody's father, Bach Musicialis, replied, "Melody sensed that you were taken her by some mysterious force. So we decided to join you!" They had breakfast together and Sonic told of last night's attack.
As they left the Inn, the people greeted them with a slight smile. They explore the forests of Noctoterra, only to be ambushed by Giant Buzzbombers. Two of them carried Hershey, who was tied up and carried to some destination. Melody sang to cause the Buzzbombers to slow down and crash. Sonic rescued Hershey just before the she became part of the wreckage. "Thank you," said Hershey, "These BuzzBombers came to me yesterday. They must have been set of at night in this region to get me. Whatever the purpose is, it's definitely not good!" "You're telling us," replied Bunnie. "Ah have a bad feelin' that someone somehow brought Robotnik back!"
The Freedom Fighters returned to the village and were greeted by the people's cheers. "Thanks for fighting those monsters," said one of the children. "Lots of strange stuff was happening ever since some stranger moved into the castle so many years ago. I hear that the owner is a vampire! Of course, that's just silly talk... I hope!" Antoine freaked and started to run. Sonic, grabbing Antoine's shirt, said, "Yo, Ant! Where do you think you're going?" Antoine replied, "To geet some garleek! I am too young to be zee caspercuckoo!" "You mean Nosferatu!," Lupe replied with a giggle. "Let's just hope it IS a rumor!," said Ari.
Chapter 5: Orzone Warning
Later that evening, just as sunset was approaching, Katrina and Kathleen Kantrell appeared. "Hey, ladies!," greeted Tails, "What brings you here?" Katrina replied, "Emperor Orzone and his Stormwings and Hurroks have come here, probably looking for the 'Leader of the Night.' I don't know who this 'Leader of the Night' is, but obviously, he has some evil plans in store!" Kathleen replied, "If the Stormwings and Hurroks don't get him, Orzone will!"
The Freedom Fighters fought valiantly against the Centaurlike Hurroks and the beastly Stormwings, but Orzone proved to be a great threat to them. Then all of a sudden, help was on the way: Geoffrey St. John and his Underground troops came to the rescue. Geoffrey kisses Sally's hand and said, "Queen Acorn told us you'd be here, luv. That's why we're here." With his Flash Arrow, St. John caused the evil emperor to retreat. "We'll be back!," cried Orzone, "And we'll have the 'Leader of the Night' with us too!"
"Who IS this 'Leader of the Night', anyway?," asked Sonic. "Like we said," replied Kathleen, "'We don't know!' But, all the same, it's grand we could find you!" So, they explored the forest until they came across a gypsy camp just west of town.
Chapter 6: Gypsy Greeting
One of the gypsies greeted Sonic and his friends, for he knew of their battles with Robotnik. "Greetings!," he said, "And welcome to our wagon camp. You are no stranger to us. Come, let us take you to the leaders of the camp." They entered the wagon and met some friends familiar to Sonic: Chieftain Iceflare, Prince Snowmaar, and Princess Frostara-- the "gypsies" were actually the Frostcatras Clan!
"Hi, Sonic! Miss us!," greeted Snowmaar. "Frostara sensed that you were taken here, so we camped here to give advice when you need it!" Frostara looked and said, "I see you brought your friends too! Welcome, Freedom Fighters!" They stayed at the camp and discussed what they were doing in Noctoterra. Frostara gasped when King Acorn mentioned the Dark Temple. "The Dark Temple?," she said, "You escaped from there? You are very lucky. I would guess a summoning spell went awry. The magic from the Temple messes with all types of long distance spells. But we mustn't speak of it. At least not at the moment. Someone wants you here for some mysterious yet dark purpose!" As night set in, Sonic and Sally hear a familiar yell: Dulcy! She was attacked by Dark Dragons!
Tails flies to investgate. He noticed that some of the Dark Dragons had taken some terrapods to Noctoterra from Boulder Bay. "Baby T!," Tails shouted. He flew down to save his friend from a teenager Dark Dragon, who was torturing the poor creature. Kathleen came to help him with her magic. Baby T gave a bellow of thanks to the magic rabbit. "You're welcome!," giggled Kathleen. Meanwhile, Frostara and Katrina were trying to help Dulcy fight the lead Dark Dragon. Soon, Snowmaar tossed his sword at the Dragon (the Dark Dragon, not Dulcy) and caused him to retreat. "Thanks for helping me, guys!," said Dulcy. "Yeah, but how will you fit in the Inn?," asked Sonic. Snowmaar made a suggestion: "How about she stay with us?" "Great idea!," said Katrina, "Kathleen and I can stay too!"
Chapter 7: Invitation of the Fox Warlock
As the awoke the next day in the Inn (after the spent the night there after fighting the Dark Dragons), a note appeared near Sally's bed. A mysterious message read, "Come meet me in the crystal cave southeast of town. I will be waiting. - Silver Comet PS- Bring Sonic with you!" After breakfast, Sally told Sonic about the letter she got and said, "Let's go to the cave and see what we can see!," "All righty, Sally!," said Sonic, "Besides, why miss out on a good adventure?!" Carrying Sally in his arms, Sonic raced to the Southeast and found what looked like a hawk's face made of crystal, with its beak wide open.
Taking a deep breath, the two stepped into the cave and met a Fox Warlock with a silvery colored fur and a bluish gray robe. "I see you've found my letter," he said. Sally replied, "Yes. You must be Silver Comet!" "That is correct!," replied the mage. "I noticed that you were brought here by a mysterious force." "Yeah," replied Sonic, "And we met this one lady named Felicia Fulva." Silver Comet's eyes widened a bit. "Felicia Fulva?," he said, "That name sounds familiar. Well, we'll figure out that puzzle later. In the meantime, I wish to find out if you're up to whatever task you've been brought here for."
"You know of how we got here?," asked Princess Sally. "Yes," Silver Comet replied, "And I have three tests to see if you truly are prepared for the challenges of Noctoterra. Now before I place you in these tests, remember that failure will not be held against you... as long as you are willing to try again. In fact, these tests are learning experiences in themselves."
"Great!," exclaimed Sonic. "What's the first test?" The fox replied, "The first test is the Power Test." He takes out something that looks like a sawblade with the tips pointed in one direction. "This is the Phoenix Dagger," he continued, "You must somehow outwit and destroy this enchanted blade." He then lets it go and says, "Begin!" Sonic ran from the blade to get a safe distance, but the blade followed him, as if it were a homing missile. Sonic did a Sonic Spin, and it did so, but the Dagger could only go so fast; it soon exploded and it turned into a white phoenix, which is how the Phoenix Dagger got its name.
Soon Sonic made a vacuum vortex around it and snuffed out the phoenix. Silver Comet said, "Well done! Now I shall take Sally to the Second Test-- The Mind Test."
Chapter 8: The Mind Test
Sally was transported to another room of the cave. "This test," Silver Comet told Sally, "Is a small set of riddles. Like I said before, failure will not be held against you as long as you are willing to try again. Are you ready?" Sally said, "Ready and willing!" "Good!," the warlock said.
"The first riddle:
I am hard as rocks
And red as the sky
When the sunset comes
So what am I?"
Sally answered, "A ruby."
"Good," replied Silver Comet. "Now the next riddle:"
"In marble walls as white as milk,
In the halls as soft as silk,
An apple made of purest gold
A fountain of crystal clear water doth hold.
No doors there are to this strongold,
Yet thieves break in and steal the gold."
Sally thought a bit. "Hmm... White as milk... Soft as silk... golden apple in a clear water... no doors yet thieves can steal the gold..." She then snapped her fingers and said, "The answer is 'An egg'!" The silver fox said, "Magnificent! Now is the final riddle! Are you ready!" "You know it!," replied the princess! "Great! Here is the riddle:"
"I am pink or white in the spring,
Green in the summer sun bright,
I am orange in the autumn,
And pale in the winter moonlight!"
Sally thought, "This is difficult. Spring, summer fall, winter... different colors each season... Aha!" She then called out, "A deciduous tree!" "Excellent!," cried Silver Comet. "Now both you and Sonic shall face the final test: The Spirit Test!"
Chapter 9: The Spirit Test
Sonic and Sally appeared in a large chamber similar to the Chaos Chamber in the Floating Island. "This final test," said the fox warlock, "involves you two against an old foe. Begin!" The fox disappeared, and an image of Mammoth Mogul appeared in the chamber. Sonic tried to give the creature a Sonic Spin, but he just bounced right off. Sally tried to give him a good roundhouse kick, but the Mogul clone just grabbed her leg and tripped her up. The two, remembering that this is a test of spirit, closed their eyes and sensed a hidden orb somewhere in the central column.
Sonic bounces off of Sally's shoulders and made a Sonic Spin into the column, destroying the orb. Soon, the Mammoth Mogul duplicate vanished. A few seconds later, the two found themselves outside at the mouth of the cave at night, with Silver Fox awaiting them. "You have passed all three tests with flying colors," he said. "Here is your reward. It will protect against the Undead!" Silver Fox presented them with a special orb. They returned back to town- The guardsmen opened the gates and closed them again as soon as they were into town. The two victors presented the orb, which soon disintegrated into twinkling stars and surrounded them. Then they slept for the night.
Chapter 10: Bounty Hunter Attack
The next morning, they left the Inn upon hearing that bounty hunters are in town. Nack the Weasel was also in search of the "Leader of the Night". "Come on, people," grumbled Nack, "Which one of you is the 'Leader of the Night'?" Sonic came out and confronted Nack. "So, Sonic has come to stop me again, eh?," snickered the weasel, "Well, I have some friends to back me up!" As soon as he finished talking, Drago and Sleuth came out of nowhere and attacked!
Katrina and Kathleen used their magic to keep Drago and Sleuth at bay, while Sonic gave Nack a good Sonic Spin. Nack was out cold! While Drago and Sleuth escaped, Nack was arrested by the mayor and put in his jail. While they contemplated their attack at the Inn, Frostara came in to tell of what she learned in a vision. "Last night," said Frostara, "I saw the Star of Isis. It told that it would protect the town from the Undead until it cast the spell that would unveil the destiny of it. That one would bring a dead friend and trade his or her life energy through the crystal. The dead would rise alive and well, and that the one who gave his or her life would not know. But, I do not know who would be willing to make such a sacrifice."
Chapter 11: More Clues To The Mystery
The next morning, Tails got a letter next to his bed that read, "Meet me outside town tonight. I'll be waiting! -Felicia." In the meantime, Rotor talked to Nack and asked, "Why do you seek the 'Leader of the Night'?" "Because of his powers, that's why!," Nack replied harshly. "He is somehow one who wants to bring the Shadows into this land!" Rotor gasped at the reply. He then told Sally about the news from the bounty hunter. "That is very distressing," said the princess. "The Shadows have always been tormenting us since the fall of Robotnik!"
In the fort, Sonic read a logbook of how Prince Quicksilver went out to try to find the Shadow Emeralds and destroy them. It gave a hint on some of them. It said something about each of them, except for one missing, being into a Megazone, which is many zones combined into one. It also mentioned on an article about the legendary "Leader of the Night", who is later revealed to be a woman of an unknown name. It tells how she was in league with the druid cult who wanted nothing more than to summon the Shadows of Dark Mobius into this world. These tales shocked Sonic, and he told these tales to his friends. Sally then asked Nack when she visited, "Do you know anything about the castle?" "Castle Noctoterra?," replied Nack. "Well, other than the fact that it is northeast of town and east of the Dark Temple, and that there is said to be a secret passage somewhere in the Duke's crypt east of town, I can't help you... not that I want to, anyway!"
After sunset, Tails went outside the town gates via flying over the walls and met Felicia. "So you found my note, did you?," said Fulva. "I am glad that I found you earlier during your visit here." She came a little closer. Her soft touch calmed the nervous two-tailed cub. "I hope that your friends don't think me forward, but I see that your friends are studying about the legends of this land. Well, I want you to be careful, though: Too much learning can lead to too much curiosity, and too much curiosity-- Well, I do not mean to frighten you." She looked and said, "I must return to the castle now. I hope your friends can visit me soon. Maybe outside the gates sometime. Farewell!" At that, she leaves.
Chapter 12: Tale of a Lost Child
The next morning, the Freedom Fighters met the mayor down in the dining room. They noticed that he had some tears in his eyes. "What's the matter, sugar?," asked Bunnie. The mayor replied, "I had a bad dream about my lost son Timothy last night. I had trouble getting to sleep." "Tell us about your son, sir," said King Acorn. Sighing, the mayor told them, "Three years ago, my son was stolen from his room. There were rumors that the Frostcatras stolen him, but when I visited them, I found no sign of him. Then, several times, my teenage nephew reported of someone who resembled a white cat warrior woman near his bedroom window at night. My wife and I miss our son very deeply."
Sally sympathetically touched his shoulder and tried to comfort him. Sonic decided to visit the crypt and see what he could find. Once inside, he searched around and found a key. He could find no keyhole at the moment. Then, comprehension dawned-- the keyhole must be magical. There may be an enchantment that hides the keyhole during the day. So he left the crypt and decided to look around for other adventures in the forest. Rotor read through the logbook in the fort to learn of the secret passage to the castle. It told that the lock was enchanted to protect the passage from anyone who would try to loot the palace in their absence.
fanfic by Daniel Wheeler
Katrina and Kathleen, Orzone, and related characters (C) BreeAnn Barlow
Preface: A Letter From The Author
Dear Reader(s),
Thanks for taking some of your time to take a look at this fanfic. I'd also like to thank you for reading some of my other stories (assuming you did). I extend my thanks as well to those who shared ideas to help me write this story. This is (I hope) the biggest Sonic story to date, and I needed all the help I could get.
As you know, my first series takes place in a Five Mobian Year Period after Robotnik's destruction and before the coming of a villain far worse than Enerjak, Mammoth Mogul, Naugus, or any other villain Sonic and his friends met before. This story is to end this first series. Just as I started that series with a bang when I wrote "Sonic Thunder", I wanted to end it with a bang with this story. The Zone Ideas I combined into megazones, which are like miniature Sonic Games. Well, without further ado, on with the story.
Take care, and God Bless!
- Danny Wheeler
Prelude: The Villainous Reunion
One night, in the Transylvanian land of Noctoterra, a powerful vampiress was reviving one of her past servants. In a ritual cave just below her castle, she recited an uncanny chant until a sickeningly familiar figure rose from the pool of blood-colored slime. It was Robotnik! Since the Doomsday Machine, aka the Ultimate Annihalator, destroyed his original body, the vampiress had to reassemble his body with her magic.
"W-W-What am I doing her?," said Robotnik. "This place looks familiar! I--," he looked and saw the one who brought him back. "Countess Fulva!"
The Red Fox Vampiress said, "So, the prodigal has returned!" "Oh, very funny!," snapped Robotnik, "If you weren't the one who's been blown to pieces by a blue rodent, you'd think it was very funny, huh?" Fulva was enlightened. "Who is this 'Blue Rodent'?," she asked. Robotnik said with a sigh, "Sonic the Hedgehog! He did this to me! If I could, I would destroy him as he destroyed me!" "Hmm...," thought Fulva, "If what you say is true, I could use him for my own dark plans. We must go to our rest. I'll have a coffin prepared for you, and tomorrow night, I'll--" Robotnik interrupted, "Coffin?!"
"Yes!," replied Fulva, "For you are now a Nosferatu!" She continued, "Anyway, tomorrow night, I'll teleport him (and maybe some of his friends) to Noctoterra. Now, as long as you are my servant, I forbid you to harm Sonic or his friends! Do you understand?" Robotnik grumbled, "Yes, m'lady!" And they went to sleep for tomorrow night.
Chapter 1: Gathering In Noctoterra
The next day, in Mobotropolis, Sonic, Sally, Tails, Antoine, Bunnie, and Rotor were having a picnic in the Palace Garden, with Amy Rose, the Wolf Pack Freedom Fighters, the Downunda Freedom Fighters, Ari, Knuckles and the Chaotix, and the Forty Fathom Freedom Fighters (who were in a special aquarium prepared just for them. It was a big aquarium, since they needed the extra size for Fluke). Suddenly, all except the Forty Fathom Freedom Fighters vanished into thin air. "Hey! Where'd they go?," said Fluke. "I don't know," said Ray, "but I have a bad feeling about where they've been taken to!" "I'm afraid I know where they are," said Queen Acorn, who was recently rescued by Sonic prior to his battle with the Red Scarves. "They are in (gulp) Noctoterra! I know, because I sensed my husband being taken there too!"
They recovered in a mysterious temple-like cavern. It was nighttime in where they were now. As soon as they got to the bottom, where the front doors are, all of them stepped out, the last one came out just before the doors closed. A mysterious red fox girl greeted them. "You're alive!," said the girl. "There was only one survivor from that place before! How did you get here? Oh, I have so many questions, but I must get home soon. Noctoterra is such a dangerous place at night. The town is southeast of here. Be careful, there are many terrible creatures wandering the land. Good luck!" Before she left, she turned and said, "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you- My name is Felicia Fulva. I hope we can meet again soon. See you soon!" At that, the girl left.
King Acorn led everyone down to the town, and it was sunrise when they got there. Once they were inside, the townspeople stare at them in astonishment. The mayor of the town greeted them and said, "What brings you to Noctoterra?" King Acorn answered him, "We were pulled into this strange land by a mysterious force. We landed in something that looked like a temple and--" The people gasped. The mayor said, "Please do not mention the Dark Temple! It is bad luck to even mention it! All the same, welcome to our town! Please take a look around, if you need a place to stay for the night, visit the Noctoro Inn."
Sally looks at a mysterious crystal. A voice in the air surrounding it says, "I am the Star of Isis. If one wishes to have me, I first must make a sacrifice: To trade life for a loved one." The voice sent a shiver up the princess' spine. Sonic came to her and said, "What's with the goosebumps, Sal?" She replied, "Oh, nothing, Sonic." As they visited the townsfolk and told of themselves, they caught a glimpse of an old building. It was an old fort. They went inside and checked out some books on the tales of the land they were in.
Chapter 2: Legacy Of The Guardians and the Star of Isis
Sally picked up a book "Legends Of Noctoterra" and read through it. It tells of how the Shadows of Dark Mobius ravaged the land as well as the whole planet of Mobius. Then the book relates to the six original guardians and how they sent the leader and almost all of the Shadows back into Dark World Mobius. The six guardians were as follows:
Prince Quicksilver, who unmistakably looks like Sonic; Princess Crystal, who had a similar likeness of Sally; Prowus the Thief, who, with the exception of having only one tail, has the features that look like Tails'; Baron D'Coolette, who is obviously and distantly related to Antoine; Walarus the Cleric, who somewhat resembles Rotor; and Rabina the Healer, who, in a strange way, looks like Bunnie.
She flipped through a later chapter on the Star of Isis. It told of a mysterious woman who barely defeated the leader of a cult who wished to summon the Shadows back into the Light World. She created a crystal that would protect against the undead and would one day reveal its destiny. The only known fact of this mysterious woman was the name of her daughter, and this fact stunned Sally-- the daughter's name was... Julayla.
Chapter 3: First Night Attack
The Freedom Fighters checked into the Inn (it was a big inn, and a good thing-- there were a lot of Freedom Fighters to house!) and got a somewhat good night sleep, but it was interrupted by an explosion. The Freedom Fighters were awakened to see a dangerous cyborg duck. The creature shouted to them, "I am Flashquack, a Delta Prototype Shadowduck Warrior! Who wishes to challenge me?!" "I do, sugar!," shouted Bunnie as she tried to jump kick the beast. But it was a vain attempt as she got shocked by the cyborg's static field. Sonic took a close look and noticed a weak spot in the monster's armor: A red gem in the quasi-droid's abdomen. One Sonic Spin and the Shadowduck is out of action! He then disappeared into thin air.
A hole in the wall showed how the droid got in. They investigated and were again greeted by Felicia Fulva. "It is good to meet you again. You need to be more careful, you know. Night time is a dangerous time out in this land." "You're tellin' us!," said Tails, "The monster we faced almost totalled the village!" "That's all right," said Felicia, "As long as you are safe and happy, that's all that matters." She looked about and said, "I- I must go now. It is great to see you again, if only for one more time." And she walked off into the darkness. At that, the Freedom Fighters went back to the inn and back to sleep.
While the slept, voices echoed in their dreams.
A male, whisperlike voice said, "Do you see them?"
A female, familiar voice said, "Yes. They are asleep. I think they are in the hotel. But I do not know for sure; I have not used this vision spell in a long time.
The male voice said, "Why didn't you just grab them when you had the chance? These games you play are foolish!"
The female voice said, "Be quiet! To help us, it is best if the did things under their own free will. Why turn a willing helper into an enemy. Ah, that's right. They're already YOUR enemies giggle!"
"These are not people to fool with, I'm telling you. If they find out what we are up to, they'll never cooperate. Besides, you risk their death-- Noctoterra is a dangerous land!"
"I think they can take care of themselves. Besides, I have many ways to make them cooperate, as you know. I will use them only as a last resort."
The voices soon fade off as the sunrise approaches...
Chapter 4: Melody Joins In And Helps Her Friends
As they came down to the dining area, they were greeted by Melody and her family. "Melody!," cried Amy, "What brings you here?" The whole family, except for the grandparents, who are now at rest since the fall of Robotnik (first time around) was reunited ever since Melody found a Resurrect Pendant. Melody's father, Bach Musicialis, replied, "Melody sensed that you were taken her by some mysterious force. So we decided to join you!" They had breakfast together and Sonic told of last night's attack.
As they left the Inn, the people greeted them with a slight smile. They explore the forests of Noctoterra, only to be ambushed by Giant Buzzbombers. Two of them carried Hershey, who was tied up and carried to some destination. Melody sang to cause the Buzzbombers to slow down and crash. Sonic rescued Hershey just before the she became part of the wreckage. "Thank you," said Hershey, "These BuzzBombers came to me yesterday. They must have been set of at night in this region to get me. Whatever the purpose is, it's definitely not good!" "You're telling us," replied Bunnie. "Ah have a bad feelin' that someone somehow brought Robotnik back!"
The Freedom Fighters returned to the village and were greeted by the people's cheers. "Thanks for fighting those monsters," said one of the children. "Lots of strange stuff was happening ever since some stranger moved into the castle so many years ago. I hear that the owner is a vampire! Of course, that's just silly talk... I hope!" Antoine freaked and started to run. Sonic, grabbing Antoine's shirt, said, "Yo, Ant! Where do you think you're going?" Antoine replied, "To geet some garleek! I am too young to be zee caspercuckoo!" "You mean Nosferatu!," Lupe replied with a giggle. "Let's just hope it IS a rumor!," said Ari.
Chapter 5: Orzone Warning
Later that evening, just as sunset was approaching, Katrina and Kathleen Kantrell appeared. "Hey, ladies!," greeted Tails, "What brings you here?" Katrina replied, "Emperor Orzone and his Stormwings and Hurroks have come here, probably looking for the 'Leader of the Night.' I don't know who this 'Leader of the Night' is, but obviously, he has some evil plans in store!" Kathleen replied, "If the Stormwings and Hurroks don't get him, Orzone will!"
The Freedom Fighters fought valiantly against the Centaurlike Hurroks and the beastly Stormwings, but Orzone proved to be a great threat to them. Then all of a sudden, help was on the way: Geoffrey St. John and his Underground troops came to the rescue. Geoffrey kisses Sally's hand and said, "Queen Acorn told us you'd be here, luv. That's why we're here." With his Flash Arrow, St. John caused the evil emperor to retreat. "We'll be back!," cried Orzone, "And we'll have the 'Leader of the Night' with us too!"
"Who IS this 'Leader of the Night', anyway?," asked Sonic. "Like we said," replied Kathleen, "'We don't know!' But, all the same, it's grand we could find you!" So, they explored the forest until they came across a gypsy camp just west of town.
Chapter 6: Gypsy Greeting
One of the gypsies greeted Sonic and his friends, for he knew of their battles with Robotnik. "Greetings!," he said, "And welcome to our wagon camp. You are no stranger to us. Come, let us take you to the leaders of the camp." They entered the wagon and met some friends familiar to Sonic: Chieftain Iceflare, Prince Snowmaar, and Princess Frostara-- the "gypsies" were actually the Frostcatras Clan!
"Hi, Sonic! Miss us!," greeted Snowmaar. "Frostara sensed that you were taken here, so we camped here to give advice when you need it!" Frostara looked and said, "I see you brought your friends too! Welcome, Freedom Fighters!" They stayed at the camp and discussed what they were doing in Noctoterra. Frostara gasped when King Acorn mentioned the Dark Temple. "The Dark Temple?," she said, "You escaped from there? You are very lucky. I would guess a summoning spell went awry. The magic from the Temple messes with all types of long distance spells. But we mustn't speak of it. At least not at the moment. Someone wants you here for some mysterious yet dark purpose!" As night set in, Sonic and Sally hear a familiar yell: Dulcy! She was attacked by Dark Dragons!
Tails flies to investgate. He noticed that some of the Dark Dragons had taken some terrapods to Noctoterra from Boulder Bay. "Baby T!," Tails shouted. He flew down to save his friend from a teenager Dark Dragon, who was torturing the poor creature. Kathleen came to help him with her magic. Baby T gave a bellow of thanks to the magic rabbit. "You're welcome!," giggled Kathleen. Meanwhile, Frostara and Katrina were trying to help Dulcy fight the lead Dark Dragon. Soon, Snowmaar tossed his sword at the Dragon (the Dark Dragon, not Dulcy) and caused him to retreat. "Thanks for helping me, guys!," said Dulcy. "Yeah, but how will you fit in the Inn?," asked Sonic. Snowmaar made a suggestion: "How about she stay with us?" "Great idea!," said Katrina, "Kathleen and I can stay too!"
Chapter 7: Invitation of the Fox Warlock
As the awoke the next day in the Inn (after the spent the night there after fighting the Dark Dragons), a note appeared near Sally's bed. A mysterious message read, "Come meet me in the crystal cave southeast of town. I will be waiting. - Silver Comet PS- Bring Sonic with you!" After breakfast, Sally told Sonic about the letter she got and said, "Let's go to the cave and see what we can see!," "All righty, Sally!," said Sonic, "Besides, why miss out on a good adventure?!" Carrying Sally in his arms, Sonic raced to the Southeast and found what looked like a hawk's face made of crystal, with its beak wide open.
Taking a deep breath, the two stepped into the cave and met a Fox Warlock with a silvery colored fur and a bluish gray robe. "I see you've found my letter," he said. Sally replied, "Yes. You must be Silver Comet!" "That is correct!," replied the mage. "I noticed that you were brought here by a mysterious force." "Yeah," replied Sonic, "And we met this one lady named Felicia Fulva." Silver Comet's eyes widened a bit. "Felicia Fulva?," he said, "That name sounds familiar. Well, we'll figure out that puzzle later. In the meantime, I wish to find out if you're up to whatever task you've been brought here for."
"You know of how we got here?," asked Princess Sally. "Yes," Silver Comet replied, "And I have three tests to see if you truly are prepared for the challenges of Noctoterra. Now before I place you in these tests, remember that failure will not be held against you... as long as you are willing to try again. In fact, these tests are learning experiences in themselves."
"Great!," exclaimed Sonic. "What's the first test?" The fox replied, "The first test is the Power Test." He takes out something that looks like a sawblade with the tips pointed in one direction. "This is the Phoenix Dagger," he continued, "You must somehow outwit and destroy this enchanted blade." He then lets it go and says, "Begin!" Sonic ran from the blade to get a safe distance, but the blade followed him, as if it were a homing missile. Sonic did a Sonic Spin, and it did so, but the Dagger could only go so fast; it soon exploded and it turned into a white phoenix, which is how the Phoenix Dagger got its name.
Soon Sonic made a vacuum vortex around it and snuffed out the phoenix. Silver Comet said, "Well done! Now I shall take Sally to the Second Test-- The Mind Test."
Chapter 8: The Mind Test
Sally was transported to another room of the cave. "This test," Silver Comet told Sally, "Is a small set of riddles. Like I said before, failure will not be held against you as long as you are willing to try again. Are you ready?" Sally said, "Ready and willing!" "Good!," the warlock said.
"The first riddle:
I am hard as rocks
And red as the sky
When the sunset comes
So what am I?"
Sally answered, "A ruby."
"Good," replied Silver Comet. "Now the next riddle:"
"In marble walls as white as milk,
In the halls as soft as silk,
An apple made of purest gold
A fountain of crystal clear water doth hold.
No doors there are to this strongold,
Yet thieves break in and steal the gold."
Sally thought a bit. "Hmm... White as milk... Soft as silk... golden apple in a clear water... no doors yet thieves can steal the gold..." She then snapped her fingers and said, "The answer is 'An egg'!" The silver fox said, "Magnificent! Now is the final riddle! Are you ready!" "You know it!," replied the princess! "Great! Here is the riddle:"
"I am pink or white in the spring,
Green in the summer sun bright,
I am orange in the autumn,
And pale in the winter moonlight!"
Sally thought, "This is difficult. Spring, summer fall, winter... different colors each season... Aha!" She then called out, "A deciduous tree!" "Excellent!," cried Silver Comet. "Now both you and Sonic shall face the final test: The Spirit Test!"
Chapter 9: The Spirit Test
Sonic and Sally appeared in a large chamber similar to the Chaos Chamber in the Floating Island. "This final test," said the fox warlock, "involves you two against an old foe. Begin!" The fox disappeared, and an image of Mammoth Mogul appeared in the chamber. Sonic tried to give the creature a Sonic Spin, but he just bounced right off. Sally tried to give him a good roundhouse kick, but the Mogul clone just grabbed her leg and tripped her up. The two, remembering that this is a test of spirit, closed their eyes and sensed a hidden orb somewhere in the central column.
Sonic bounces off of Sally's shoulders and made a Sonic Spin into the column, destroying the orb. Soon, the Mammoth Mogul duplicate vanished. A few seconds later, the two found themselves outside at the mouth of the cave at night, with Silver Fox awaiting them. "You have passed all three tests with flying colors," he said. "Here is your reward. It will protect against the Undead!" Silver Fox presented them with a special orb. They returned back to town- The guardsmen opened the gates and closed them again as soon as they were into town. The two victors presented the orb, which soon disintegrated into twinkling stars and surrounded them. Then they slept for the night.
Chapter 10: Bounty Hunter Attack
The next morning, they left the Inn upon hearing that bounty hunters are in town. Nack the Weasel was also in search of the "Leader of the Night". "Come on, people," grumbled Nack, "Which one of you is the 'Leader of the Night'?" Sonic came out and confronted Nack. "So, Sonic has come to stop me again, eh?," snickered the weasel, "Well, I have some friends to back me up!" As soon as he finished talking, Drago and Sleuth came out of nowhere and attacked!
Katrina and Kathleen used their magic to keep Drago and Sleuth at bay, while Sonic gave Nack a good Sonic Spin. Nack was out cold! While Drago and Sleuth escaped, Nack was arrested by the mayor and put in his jail. While they contemplated their attack at the Inn, Frostara came in to tell of what she learned in a vision. "Last night," said Frostara, "I saw the Star of Isis. It told that it would protect the town from the Undead until it cast the spell that would unveil the destiny of it. That one would bring a dead friend and trade his or her life energy through the crystal. The dead would rise alive and well, and that the one who gave his or her life would not know. But, I do not know who would be willing to make such a sacrifice."
Chapter 11: More Clues To The Mystery
The next morning, Tails got a letter next to his bed that read, "Meet me outside town tonight. I'll be waiting! -Felicia." In the meantime, Rotor talked to Nack and asked, "Why do you seek the 'Leader of the Night'?" "Because of his powers, that's why!," Nack replied harshly. "He is somehow one who wants to bring the Shadows into this land!" Rotor gasped at the reply. He then told Sally about the news from the bounty hunter. "That is very distressing," said the princess. "The Shadows have always been tormenting us since the fall of Robotnik!"
In the fort, Sonic read a logbook of how Prince Quicksilver went out to try to find the Shadow Emeralds and destroy them. It gave a hint on some of them. It said something about each of them, except for one missing, being into a Megazone, which is many zones combined into one. It also mentioned on an article about the legendary "Leader of the Night", who is later revealed to be a woman of an unknown name. It tells how she was in league with the druid cult who wanted nothing more than to summon the Shadows of Dark Mobius into this world. These tales shocked Sonic, and he told these tales to his friends. Sally then asked Nack when she visited, "Do you know anything about the castle?" "Castle Noctoterra?," replied Nack. "Well, other than the fact that it is northeast of town and east of the Dark Temple, and that there is said to be a secret passage somewhere in the Duke's crypt east of town, I can't help you... not that I want to, anyway!"
After sunset, Tails went outside the town gates via flying over the walls and met Felicia. "So you found my note, did you?," said Fulva. "I am glad that I found you earlier during your visit here." She came a little closer. Her soft touch calmed the nervous two-tailed cub. "I hope that your friends don't think me forward, but I see that your friends are studying about the legends of this land. Well, I want you to be careful, though: Too much learning can lead to too much curiosity, and too much curiosity-- Well, I do not mean to frighten you." She looked and said, "I must return to the castle now. I hope your friends can visit me soon. Maybe outside the gates sometime. Farewell!" At that, she leaves.
Chapter 12: Tale of a Lost Child
The next morning, the Freedom Fighters met the mayor down in the dining room. They noticed that he had some tears in his eyes. "What's the matter, sugar?," asked Bunnie. The mayor replied, "I had a bad dream about my lost son Timothy last night. I had trouble getting to sleep." "Tell us about your son, sir," said King Acorn. Sighing, the mayor told them, "Three years ago, my son was stolen from his room. There were rumors that the Frostcatras stolen him, but when I visited them, I found no sign of him. Then, several times, my teenage nephew reported of someone who resembled a white cat warrior woman near his bedroom window at night. My wife and I miss our son very deeply."
Sally sympathetically touched his shoulder and tried to comfort him. Sonic decided to visit the crypt and see what he could find. Once inside, he searched around and found a key. He could find no keyhole at the moment. Then, comprehension dawned-- the keyhole must be magical. There may be an enchantment that hides the keyhole during the day. So he left the crypt and decided to look around for other adventures in the forest. Rotor read through the logbook in the fort to learn of the secret passage to the castle. It told that the lock was enchanted to protect the passage from anyone who would try to loot the palace in their absence.