Sonic, Shadow, Rouge, etc. all belong to their original creators. Cuervo, Rika, Ry, Krysta, and future characters all belong to me, must have permission to use. The term 'Wishmaster' belongs to the band Nightwish based on their song 'Wishmaster.'
Hello, everyone! There were so many reveiws...whoa.
Nicole: Glad you like the story, hope this chapter is good.
Kyra the Hedgehog: Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked my writing.
The Ultimate Life Form: Thanks! Guess some scenes are a bit gory. And yes, I am a girl. Surprising, isn't it?
Windfield: Glad you like Ry! I heard that you're considering joining 'The Alliance'. If you are, and even though I'm not a fan of them, you have my full support.:)
Sky: Thanks! I know how it feels to be lazy. Ry take over the world? Now THAT would be something.
Sonia The Hedgehog: New reviewer! Glad you like my story. That means a lot.
SonicRules12: Again I am shocked. Thanks and keep working on your story, I really liked it.
Skye The Hedgehog: Why thank you! You know, your penname is very similar to someone else I know...
WhiteHart: Thanks for the three reviews! And if you mean I'm usingcharacters from Sonic X like Chris(I hate him), I'm only using the Sega characters. All the others such as Ry the Impare my own.
Chapter 9- Whispers
The forest was of legend. Stories passed down by those few who knew. Passed in whispers.
The ones who saw it never forgot it. For it was forever etched into their minds, carved in stone. Seen in both dreams and nightmares.
The forest seemed harmless at first. Almost peaceful and quiet.
Too quiet. Much too quiet. So deathly silent you could hear the trees whisper. Whispering unkind things, sinister things.
It was best to stay away. Away from the whispers. But he could not stay away. Even though the images haunted him, he had to go back. He had to bring the ones who held everything.
Yet knew nothing.
Draken flew through the misty clouds as he carried his sleeping travelers onboard. During the night, everyone had grown tired, their eyelids becoming heavy. They were afraid to fall asleep, fearing they may roll over in their slumber and fall off the leviathan. But he reassured them that he would fly carefully, that they must rest for what was to come ahead. Soon, one by one, each drifted off into peaceful dozes, letting the gentle swaying of the dragon's flight soothe them.
Shadow had been the last one awake. He had struggled to keep his eyes open, wanting to see if any new dangers came along. But even the Ultimate Life Form needs to rest. So, later on, he too joined the symphony of snores.
When the sun rose on the horizon, Sonic woke due to the bright rays that struck his face. He yawned and stretched his tired muscles. Looking ahead, he rubbed his eyes, unsure of what he was seeing.
"Draken, is this the-"
"Yes," the dragon answered abruptly.
"Hey, everyone! Wake up! We're here!"
They all started to wake from their sleep as Draken got closer to the Scarlet Forest.
"Ry, wake up already!" yelled Krysta whose brown hair was rumpled.
"Jus' five more minutes, Mommy," the imp responded sleepily.
"If I was your Mommy, I'd hang myself. Now wake up!!"
"No, I don't want any pickles."
"…Oh, forget it."
They were still high up in the heavens as they began to soar over the woods. A fog covered the top branches of the trees, making it difficult to see the features of the land.
At that moment, Draken shuddered. His green scales seemed to shift as he slowly started to descend.
"What's going on?" questioned Tails.
"I…can't…fly over…"
"What do you mean 'you can't?'" Rika inquired with little patience.
"They won't let me…they won't let me." His wings began to droop, as if he was no longer strong enough to carry his own girth. He was getting smaller, reverting back to his original form.
Throughout all this, Ry was still sleeping, snoring blissfully without a care. But as the scales rippled along the dragons back like restless waters, the imp slowly began to slide over the edge. It was then he finally woke.
"Huh? Uh oh. Hey, I'm falling!"
The others looked over to him. Then he fell off.
"Ahh! I'm falling, falling to my bloody end! Tell my wife that I love her, and that I'd like a fancy funeral, and-oof!…Huh?"
He was lying down on the soft ground, eyes toward the skies. Sitting up, confused, he looked to the dragon that was sitting next to him.
"Hey, it's a miracle! I'm alive! God really does love me!"
"No," said Krysta. "You fell off after we already landed. Idiot."
"Oh…but my life was flashing before my eyes. I saw my mom and dad. And I saw Jesus! He was really nice!"
"…whatever."
"Does he actually have a wife?" asked Sonic, puzzled.
"No, he just likes to say whatever random crap he can think of. Even when he thinks he's having a near death experience he says the most mind-numbingly stupid things."
"Hey, I resent that! I do not say any random thing that just pops into my head- Froot Loops!" the imp shouted suddenly.
A pause from the staring faces.
"What?" Ry asked with child-like innocence.
"See what I mean?"
Sonic nodded at Krysta. He saw all too well.
"Please, get off," Draken uttered in a strained voice as the scales rippled once more.
Everyone immediately jumped off as the dragon shrunk down, the leathery wings that had been so majestic becoming smaller. It was a grueling transformation. It was clear he was struggling against it, fighting back at the controlling force. But eventually he was back to his original size, standing on two legs once more.
"What happened?" asked Knuckles.
"I had to change back. I had no choice. It is imposed on me whenever I come here." His teeth were clenched in anger. Back here once again…
"This place is creepy," Amy said in a low murmur. The others, hearing her, noticed their surroundings as well.
'Creepy' did not even come close.
The leaves of the trees were stained deep red. Not like the leaves of the autumn season, an array of bright gold and ruby, making death seem so beautiful. The red was of blood. Deep, dark blood. The grass was the same, covered in the same blood red. The trunks of the trees were as dark as night, seeming to absorb any daylight that were able to sneak through patches of the misty fog overhead. The trees, red and black, looked sinister. Tall and imposing.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" asked Rouge, trembling.
"Of course I am sure," snapped Draken. This was one place he could never forget. "Now follow me," he said as he started to walk away from the others.
"Where are we going?" asked Krysta.
"To the center."
"You mean we have to go deeper?" squeaked the frightened Amy.
He did not even to bother to answer, keeping his eyes straight forward.
As they traveled through the woods, they realized that there was no sound. No light-hearted chirping of birds, nor the playful chittering of squirrels. Nothing except the gentle wind that blew through the leaves. Rustling through them it sounded like whispers.
"You know, this is exactly what my grandpa said it would be like! And I forgot to bring my camera!"
"Ry," the lioness threatened.
"Shutting up."
As they hiked through the stained woods, Sonic looked at the trees uneasily. They seemed oddly familiar…
She watched them. Watched them through the glass with knowing eyes.
She watched as the emerald dragon led the others through the cursed forest. She saw their eyes shifting back and forth. Hearing the low whispers, seeing the moving shadows on the crimson ground. Turning around only to find that no one was there. But their eyes always went to the trees. The trees that were not inviting, that did not give the troubled mind any peace.
The woman in white continued to watch them through the glass.
They moved through the forest for the entire day. Almost every red and black tree they passed looked exactly the same that they wondered whether they were walking in circles. The whispers that were mild at first seemed to grow louder. Ry began asking Draken if they were there yet every ten seconds and the dragon kept answering no. Until it finally got so annoying that everyone in unison shouted "SHUT UP!" making the imp quiet.
Darkness came, taking away the only source of light that the panicky group had. Draken suggested they stop and rest for the night.
"There's no way I'll be able to sleep with those things," Knuckles said, staring at the malevolent trees.
"We should build a fire," Krysta announced. "Ry, go get some firewood."
"Why me?"
"Because you're annoying, you're stupid, you're useless, and I told you so. Now move it!"
"I'm so unloved."
With his red tail limp, he walked toward one of the trees.
"Here, I'll help you," said Sonic as he came over.
"Gee, thanks Mr. Porcupine."
"Look, I'm a hedgehog. Sonic the Hedgehog."
"Yeah, yeah sure."
He sighed, giving up.
For some odd reason there were no spare sticks or logs on the ground. It was completely bare which was highly unnatural. So, unfortunately, they had to settle for one of the trees.
"How about this one?" Sonic recommended as he pointed towards one.
"Cool. Go break off the limbs. I'll be standing right here," said the imp.
"Nuh-uh. Not by myself. You go break it off."
"Nope. You said you'd help. You break it off."
"No, you."
"No, you."
"You."
"You!"
"YOU!"
"YOU!"
"SOMEBODY BETTER DO IT OR I'LL BREAK OFF BOTH YOUR HEADS!!" shouted Rouge in fierce anger.
Both shut their mouths, surprised to see the white bat in such rage.
The forest had gotten to her nerves which was the cause of her sudden outburst. Controlling herself, she turned to the echidna.
"Knuckles, go help."
"Me? Why shou-"
She narrowed her eyes and exposed her vampire-like fangs.
"Going."
He went over to the two, grumbling.
"Hello," greeted Ry.
"Shut up. You ladies just step aside while I do this."
Wanting to do this quickly, he clenched one fist and jumped toward a tree branch. He swung, tearing the limb off.
"There, not too bad…What?" he stepped back from the torn bough that had fallen to the ground, seeing a strange liquid seeping from it.
"What the heck is that?" asked Sonic.
"Blood." They turned around, seeing the golden fox, Rika, who had come over. She stepped up to the branch, looking down. "The tree is bleeding."
The blue hedgehog stared. "How can trees bleed?"
"That is how the forest is. Trees can experience pain like any other living creature. Only the trees here show it. The blood flows through them like sap."
The other three became worried. Silently they backed away from the tree.
"What are you doing?" Rika questioned.
"That tree…no. We can't go chopping off its limbs." replied Sonic. "We'll have to go find some firewood elsewhere."
"The only wood here are the trees."
"…What are you saying?"
"Keep chopping."
They stared at her with unbelieving eyes.
"Are you deaf? Keep chopping!"
In her hand, a dagger of ice appeared, sharp and crystal clear. She leaped and in a downward arc, sliced the limb from its body in cold, blue eyes. The wind grew stronger, blowing through the leaves. The whispers turned to quiet shrieks as the blood flowed from the tree's wound. Red stained the dagger, dripping off the razor-sharp edges.
"Now hurry up." She walked away.
Sonic, Knuckles, and Ry continued to tear the limbs off with homing attacks, punches, and arrows. They shuddered every time they heard a cry of pain from the tree and saw the dripping scarlet. After they were finally done, they carried the blood drenched wood toward the group where Draken used his fire breath, creating a campfire. Seeing the bright flames and feeling its comforting warmth, they felt a little safer in the dark forest. They circled around it, not wanting to go near the 'too-alive' trees.
"Hey, I know! Let's tell a ghost story!" Ry announced.
"Hey, I know! Let's not!" retorted Krysta.
"Yeah, I really don't think that would be a good idea, Ry." said Sonic. He noticed that the imp was staring at him strangely. "What?"
"You have one-eye."
"…Wha- One eye? W-where did that come from?"
"No, really. I mean, it's sort of a one eye. But you have two pupils. So it's like two eyes that are connected to each other. It's really freaky."
"Freaky!? What do you mean freaky!?!"
"You know, he's right," said Knuckles.
"WHAT!?!"
"It is kind of a one eye. I never noticed it before."
"I DO NOT HAVE ONE EYE! I WAS BORN THIS WAY!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Porcupine-"
"FOR THE LAST TIME, RY! I'M A HEDGEHOG!"
Irritated by the incessant yelling, Rika got up and walked away.
Shadow was the only that saw her. Getting up, he followed her.
The fox girl hardly gave a passing glance to any of the whispering trees. She stomped harshly on the scarlet grass and arrived at a clearing. Here she stopped and bowed her head down in thought.
"What is your problem?"
She turned around and saw the black hedgehog behind her. "Excuse me?" She said in silent anger.
"You heard me. What is your problem?" He looked at her with a straight face.
"My problem? My problem is hanging around with such idiots who cringed like cowards at the sight of a little blood. Of being slowed down by weaklings who need to hold their mother's hand because they're afraid of a bunch of trees."
"Then why did you even come?"
"Because that dragon said he would help me get here fast. Now that I'm here, I see no reason to stay with any of you longer."
"So you would rather wander this forest alone? Whatever is in here, it's not normal. It would be suicide."
"Why should you care? I can already see that you wish to be rid of the others as well. You're thinking the same exact thoughts as I am."
He did not reply. He had indeed been thinking that. He had started to become more frustrated with them all. More than once he had considered leaving on his own. Throughout the day, their fears had annoyed him. Some had even suggested they go back. No. That he could not allow. He should just cut and run, leave their whining voices behind and be left alone with his peace of mind. But one look at those trees and reason overcame his passion to run.
With unmoving eyes, he looked at her. "If you really want to leave, then why are you still here?"
At that moment, the ice in her eyes cracked, revealing something of her that he had not seen before. They say the eyes were the window to the soul, and that was what he saw.
She clenched her fists in deep rage and took a threatening step toward Shadow. He raised one arm in defense. The white and blue crystals radiated with their light, creating twisted shades on the red grass. The wind blew harder, swirling the blue and white around. The whispers became louder, more insistent.
Then Rika took control herself. She relaxed her hands and the ice froze back in her blue eyes once more.
"I don't need to prove myself to a rodent." She walked past him toward their campsite, not even giving him a fleeting look as if he was just another of the trees.
More confused by her behavior, the black hedgehog sighed and followed.
The trees whispered among themselves.
The group never even noticed Shadow and Rika's absence. Sonic and Ry were still arguing when they both came back until Tails broke them up.
"Come on, guys. Enough!"
He started it!" Sonic argued.
"I was just pointing out the obvious," said Ry.
"If you don't shut up, I swear I will slit your throat," Krysta threatened.
"Look, let's just go to sleep, alright?" Draken said.
"Fine. But that imp got me all self-conscious about my eye now."
"Stop acting so insecure and just sleep," said Rouge. "Knuckles will stand watch."
"Fine," muttered the echidna. "It doesn't matter what I think. By all means, go and order me around."
"Did you say something?" the bat asked.
"Nothing!"
"And Ry, stop trying to annoy anybody else to the brink of insanity today."
"Yes, Krysta."
The group surrounded the campfire, settling into the red leaves since none had brought any blankets or sleeping bags along.
"I'm gonna be so cold."
"Just go to sleep, Ry!" the lioness roared.
They slowly started to fall asleep, feeling protected in the fire's warm glow.
The trees whispered. Whispered about the new visitors, their fears. Whispered of why they were here, whispered of the one who led them. The one who was here before, the one who never wanted to come back and yet was. The two he had kept his eyes on the most. The two who had almost fought. Of the blue and white light.
They whispered of one of their own. Limbs broken, blood flowing down the trunk. Destroyed by the new visitors. The tree that was now bare, broken. They whispered of their sleeping, the one as red as their leaves who sat up tall.
And still, they whispered.
It was midnight. The moon was up high, casting its pale glow on the ground. The companions were sleeping, lost in their dreams. Knuckles, left on watch, sat up straight, arms folded across his chest. The Guardian would protect the others as he had protected the Master Emerald, with undying determination.
Throughout the watch, the echidna noticed the trees whispers. They sounded a little different, the words that were incoherent before became clearer. Standing up, he moved slowly toward one. He did not realize his actions, he moved around like a sleepwalker, violet eyes unfocused. The whispers began to sound soothing, gentle.
Sleep…go to sleep.
His eyelids grew heavy.
Rest…rest.
He tried to keep them up, knowing now what was going on.
Goodnight…goodnight.
He fell forward, eyes finally closed, defeated.
Sleep tight, failed one.
The Guardian was asleep.
Amy woke up suddenly. Something was wrong. Rubbing her eyes, she got up, her pink fur tousled. She saw Knuckles face down on the ground, snoring blissfully.
"Knuckles, you're supposed to be on watch!" she was about to say.
But then the whispers grew louder, reaching her ears. Hearing them, she stopped immediately. Her eyes became cloudy. With deaf ears, she listened to the red and black trees.
Come…come.
With shuffling steps, she walked away from the others, deep into the forest.
Unknown to Amy, the whispers turned to laughter.
Sonic tossed and turned in his restless sleep, moaning. Finally he opened his eyes. Another nightmare. A nightmare that upon waking was no longer remembered. When will they end?
Groaning softly, he sat up. Unconsciously, his eyes roamed to where Amy slept. Then he fully woke up. She was gone! First Shadow and now Amy. Is this how it was going to be? To wake from a nightmare, only to find someone missing?
He looked to the others and saw the Guardian, Knuckles, lying down on the leaves. Confused, he stood up to go wake him.
Then the sound of Amy's terrified scream echoed through the Scarlet Forest.
Hope you enjoyed. I'm not exactly sure when I'm going to update. A lot of schoolwork has come up. I have a whole lot of studying ahead of me. Oh yeah, I was trying to create the imagery of the forest. Did it work? Have to go to sleep now, so PLEASE REVIEW!