Distant Horizons Chapter 2

This story takes place long after Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, and Robotnik. It is based off of the Cartoons universe. And now, I present Chapter 1 of Distant Horizons

If you haven't done so already, please read the Prologue and Chapter 1.

Chapter 2

Jon looked into the Jewel of Four moons. The glowing arrow concealed inside was pointing to the west in the distant horizon. Talia looked at where the arrow was pointing.

"There's a village in that direction, just on top of the next hill. The name of the village is Mesa Verde. It's a village of cats." Talia answered. Suddenly a rumble was heard coming from Talia, "It's been quite a while since I've eaten anything. Think we can go find some food?"

"Sure," Jon answered, smiling. Jon began to pick up the sweet scent of an apple tree; he then began to walk forward, when Talia stopped him.

"Wait!" Talia exclaimed, her ears were raised and here eyes locked onto her prey, "I hear some mice on the ground. Ah, there it is!" She then leaps up into the air and onto the mouse. She grabs the mouse with her right paw, and devours her meal.

"Maybe there's a mouse for you, Jon" Talia said, talking with her mouth full.

"Nah," Jon replied, "I don't like to eat meat, and I prefer fruits and berries."

"Oh," Talia answered, "I'll eat anything. Being in the forest alone for so long and having to fend for myself made me not picky with food."

Jon and Talia both sit down on the soft grass in the field. Both slowly ate their food and then after the meal, they began to get to know each other.

"So Talia how was your village like?" Jon asked.

"Let's put it this way," Talia replied, "If I really liked it there, would I be running away and wandering a forest for months."

"I see your point" Jon answered, "You must have had it rough there."

"You don't know the half of it," Talia sighed and then answered, her ears lowered, "I really don't want to talk about it right now."

"That's all right; After all we just met today…" Jon replied.

Talia grabbed Jon's arm and moved closer to him. "I just want to say, thank you for helping me. I can't wait to start this new adventure."

"Well lets go, there's not a moment to loose!" Jon got up excitedly, his ears raised. Talia followed suit.

"Yea, there's a whole world out there waiting for us to explore!" Talia answered, smiling.

The two foxes headed thru the grassy knoll in the direction the energy the jewel of 4 moons was pointing in. They arrived at the town with the jewel, by the evening. The torches have been lit and they walked in thru the main road into the town. While they were headed down the street, someone ran out to them, an older tiger.

"Are you a priest young fox? If so I need your help, it's my daughter, she's fell ill." The tiger called out to them.

"I'll have a look," Jon answered, "Tell me what's wrong with her?"

"She won't wake up, and her fur is slowly turning black in places." The tiger replied.

'This is probably the work of Robotnik's spirit,' Jon thought.

"Follow me, Ill take you two her," The tiger answered. Jon and Talia followed the tiger back to his hut in the town and into the girl's room. A typical girl's room, she was lying on her bed; her arms were covered in black fur, and not the usual striped orange and black tiger fur pattern.

Jon suddenly felt an ice cold chill as he approached her, a feeling that only can be characterized as evil. Talia was standing behind him she felt the same feeling.

"Is this that evil you told me about earlier Jon?" Talia asked.

"What evil?" the tiger asked nervously.

"Yes, this is it Talia, The spirit of Robotnik." Jon answered, "But don't worry sir, I can help."

"I thought the great Sonic Heroes defeated Robotnik many years ago," the Tiger exclaimed.

"He was," Jon answered. His head and ears lowered. "But somehow his spirit was able to return and it seems to be taking over people." Jon reached into his coat pocket, and brought out a bag of sage, a special purification herb and placed the sage all around the bed. Jon then took the shard of the stone of alopex that he got from the elder and recited a chant.

"(the chant, add in later)!"

Suddenly the tigress girl began to glow. All of a sudden, the dark energy that was covering her arms flew off of her and out the window. The tiger girl then woke up.

"Wh-what happened Father?" The girl asked in a very soft voice, "Who are those foxes?"

"Lydia, I was so worried," The tiger answered, relieved that his daughter is ok, "These two foxes are Jon and Talia. You were asleep for days and I found them, and they helped you awaken."

"Thanks foxes," Lydia the Tiger answered.

"Yes, thank you Jon and Talia. I don't know how to repay you for your deed." The Tiger added.

"We're going to need a place to stay for the night," Jon replied, "Talia and I are travelers."

"Why not spend the night with us? We have a spare bedroom upstairs you can sleep in. It's the least I can do," The Tiger answered, "Let me show you your room, follow me." Jon and Talia followed the tiger upstairs to their room. It was a small room with only one bed. There was a small lamp and a writing table in the corner, a chest of drawers in the other corner. The bed is in the center of the small room. This bedroom had its own bathroom attached to it. The window had old style lace curtains on it.

"Well I'll leave you two alone…" The tiger added. He then left the room and went downstairs.

"That bed looks comfy" Talia said happily, "Look at those nice blankets."

"There's only one bed…" Jon answered, "Ill keep to my side and you keep to yours I guess."

"Yea… I guess" Talia replied, "I really need to take a bath." Talia then undresses in the room, puts her clothing on top of the bed, and walks into the bath. Jon takes off his coat and places it on the bed, revealing a well built, chest and arms.

Talia turns on the faucet in the tub and presses the drain stopper on the drain and begins to wait for the water to fill up the tub. On a shelf on the side of the tub were a few unlit candles. Talia closed her eyes and placed her hands over the candles. Suddenly, all the candles lit simultaneously.

'That will set the mood just right' Talia thought to herself. When the water reached the proper level, Talia turned off the faucet and slowly entered the bathtub. Talia laid there, relaxed. She felt a wave of relief flowing through her.

Jon knocked on the door, "Hey Talia, I'd like to wash up too."

"I'm coming right out" Talia replied. She slowly gets up and out of the tub, took out the stopper so the water will drain, and then dried herself with one of the towels hanging up on the rack. She then opened the door, "It's all yours Jon." Talia hugged Jon as she came out the door giggling.

"You're cute Talia. I'm glad I met a friend like you." Jon replied. He then undressed and placed his clothing outside the bathroom door.

"I'm glad I met you too Jon." Talia answered smiling, "Have a nice shower."

"Thanks Talia" Jon replied as he entered the bathroom. He closed the door behind him and turned on the faucet and placed the stopper into the drain. Jon entered the bath and washed himself as well. When he was finished, he got out of the tub and dried himself with another towel that was hanging on the towel rack in the bathroom and when he was all dry, he opened the door and went to the left side of the bed.

"Hey Talia, which side do you want?" Jon asked, "Tomorrow morning we'll head out to find that shard, its somewhere in the town."

"You can have that side; ill take this side" Talia replied cheerfully, "I'm just happy I'm sleeping on a soft bed again instead of the hard ground."

"Don't get used to it; I predict we'll be camping on the ground for a while." Jon replied as he pulled back the sheets and climbed into the bed. Talia did the same right after him.

"Good night Talia" Jon answered.

"Nighty Night Jon" Talia replied. Jon then got out of the bed, turned off the lights, and closed the curtains, and went back into bed.

Several Hours Later, "Ahhhhhhhh!" Talia screamed as she woke up from the bed out of breath. She began sobbing.

"What's wrong Talia?" Jon asked, groggy, "Did you have a nightmare?"

"It was horrible, I had a nightmare that I was being engulfed by darkness. Oh Jon," Talia answered sobbing. She then cuddled Jon.

"It's alright Talia, you are safe now. I will protect you." Jon answered, more awake, "Now let's get back to sleep." Jon and Talia cuddled each other back to sleep. Both were eager to see what lies ahead on the distant horizon.

Return to chapter 1

Continue to Chapter 3 (Coming Soon)