Chapter 8
The Last Two Emeralds
"So Mystic, did he tell you where the last two Chaos Emeralds are?" Gerald asked, as the purple hedgehog entered the computer room.
Mystic nodded. "Yes, he did," she held up the needle, "He needed a little persuation but I finally got him to talk."
"Good," the scientist said, nodding with approval. "so where are they?"
"One is owned by Tails Prower and the other is with your grandson Ivo," she answered.
He nodded again. "Just as I thought," he said. "So when are you going to get them?"
"Now."
"Good."
Mystic left immediately. She decided that Tails would be an easier target so she decided to do him last. Besides she wanted to get Dr. Eggman out of the way as soon as possible. For some reason the name seemed familiar she just couldn't quite put her finger on it.
The purple winged hedgehog could spot Chaos Control easy enough. The looming sky scraper could be seen for miles. "Hello there," she said as she began to fly toward it. "and what treasures do you have for me today? A Chaos Emerald perhaps?"
By the time she actually got to the building it was late and the setting sun cast long shadows on the ground. She hovered over the building watching and listening, but sensed no activity. Could he be asleep so early? she thought landing on a window sill, Well it doesn't matter. Even if I ran into anyone I'd be able to get away easily.
She smiled to herself as she used her sharp finger nails to cut through the window glass. When she finished she carefully removed the frame and stepped inside.
Mystic paused in the hall and looked back and forth to make sure no one was coming. She listened for a moment but heard nothing. Good, this will make things even easier, she thought smiling, I think I'll go this way.
She turned left and walked carefully down the hall, peeking around corners to make sure no one was on the other side.
As she passed by a room with an open door she heard loud snoring and paused. She looked inside wondering what was making that awful racket. She saw a fat egg shaped man wearing red and black sitting in a desk chair with his feet propped up on the control board. That must be Mr. Dr. Eggman, she thought holding in a laugh, that guy sure is an ugly old cuss. I can't believe Gerald is related to him. In fact I can't believe Maria is related to him.
At that instant she had a strange feeling. She felt like she knew him. Now that's totally impossible! she thought shaking it off, I can't know Eggbeater over there. I never met him or heard of him until recently.What's wrong with me?
Mystic decided to keep moving and turned away from the evil genious. Now where could he be hiding that Emerald? she thought.
She stopped and put her chin in her hand. "Now if I were an evil genius where would I hide my most valuable possession?"
She thought about it for a moment then snapped her fingers. "I've got it!"
Mystic dashed wildly down the hall.
A few minutes later she stood in front of a door marked OFF LIMITS. Yup, this must be where that Eggplant's hiding it, she thought smiling, now to get my prize.
The purple hedgehog pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Mystic noticed the green Chaos Emerald being displayed in a glass case on the other side of the room. Ah, the green Chaos Emerald, she thought walking up to it, well, beautiful, soon you will be helping Gerald get his revenge and be put to good use.
Mystic reached up and removed the glass case. "Now that's lucky," she said. "that glass wasn't even locked. All well, now to claim my prize."
Just as she reached for the Emerald someone swooped down at her slamming into her hard. Mystic was so surprised by this unexpected attack she dropped the glass case. It fell to the floor and shattered into a million pieces.
As Mystic tried to scramble away someone landed on top of her knocking her to the floor. When she tried to get up she found she couldn't. She felt a weight on her back and realized her attacker was standing on top of her. "Get off me!" she growled smacking at her attacker.
"Who are you?" whoever it was demanded.
"It's none of your concern," the female hedgehog said.
"I think it is," the person shot back.
From what she could see in the low light Mystic saw what her attacker looked like. It was a female bat in black with blue eyeshadow. "No, it's not, Bat Girl!" Mystic shouted shoving the bat off of her.
The bat landed on her feet. "For your infoe, you freak, my name is Rouge, Rouge the bat," the bat said in annoyance.
"Well Rouge," she stressed the name 'Rouge', "my name is Mystic, Mystic the hedgehog, the the world's female ultimate life form and I will be taking that Emerald," Mystic said her hand begining to reach out to grab the Emerald.
Rouge stared at the winged hedgehog not believing her ears. "You're a what?" she asked.
"An ultimate life form, batty," the female hedgehog said grabbing the Emerald. "and now that I have what I came for farewell."
She made a break for the door but Rouge blocked her path. "Out of my way or you're going to regret it," Mystic ordered.
Rouge didn't comply. Instead she tried to kick the female hedgehog in the face. Mystic dodged and tried to punch Rouge. The bat grabbed her arm and flung her on her stomach. Mystic grabbed Rouge's ankles and tripped her.
The winged hedgehog then scrambled to her feet and using her powerful wings began to fly out of Chaos Control.
"Get back here!" she heard Rouge shout.
Mystic heard a sound and looked over her shoulder and saw the bat was flying after her. I've got to keep her from following me, the female hedgehog thought, but how?
Then she got an idea. She stopped in mid flight and turned around. The instant the bat caught up with her she kicked her in the face. Rouge went flying backwards and landed unconcious on the floor.
Mystic breathed a sigh of relief and ran to the window she'd opened. When she reached it she jumped out and flew away. Next is Tails' house, she thought, I just hope I don't have as much trouble there.
Mystic found the foxes' house a half hour later. She landed in front of the airplane hanger where Tails kept the Tornado and slid in though an open window.
"Now where did he put it," she whispered as she looked though all the containers and boxes in the hanger, " for an eight year old he sure's good at hiding things."
She had almost searched the entire place when she decided to check the plane that was constantly getting in the way of her searching. I wonder if he could have hidden it somewhere in there, she thought grabbing the side of the plane and hoisting herself into it.
She searched the glove box and under the seats but found nothing. Great, just great, she though pounding the back of the driver seat in frustration. I've looked almost everywhere in here and not even a glimmer.
That's when she got an idea. She pulled out the Emerald she had stolen from Eggman's base and stared down at it.
It glowed brightly.
That last Emerald must be close by, she thought hopping out of the plane, now where is it?
As she jumped out she accidently dropped the Emerald. It rolled under the plane then stopped and glowed brighter.
Perfect just what I-hey wait a minute!
She climbed under the plane to retrieve her Emerald. She grabbed it then inspected the engine. She found a small compartment and opened it. A yellow Chaos Emerald fell out and landed in her hand. This is lucky, she thought smiling, now I can bring these back to Gerald-
"Hold it right there!" a voice ordered.
Mystic froze. Caught.
"Come out from under there, now," the voice commanded.
Mystic slowly slid out from under the blue plane. As she stood up she was nearly blinded by a flashlight beam.
"Who are you?" the voice demanded.
"I'll tell you if you lower your flashlight," she said holding up her hand.
Whoever it was lowered it. Mystic saw a little yellow fox with two tails. That must be Tails, she thought a smile slowly speading on her face, he doesn't look too hard to take care of.
"Now, what's your name," the foxe said.
"My name is Mystic, Mystic the hedgehog," she said tossing the Emerald up and down in her right hand, her face holding a cocky smile.
"What are you doing with that Emerald?" Tails demanded.
Mystic folded her arms. "I don't have to tell a little punk like you," she said.
"At least I don't look like a freak," he shot back.
"Hmph," she huffed turning sideways.
Tails noticed her wings. She saw his eyes grow as big as two blue Chaos Emeralds. He pointed a shaking finger at her wings and asked in a wiggly voice. "W-what in the world a-are y-you?"
She turned back to him her smile getting bigger. "I am the world's female ultimate life form," she answered.
"Then you're-" he began.
"The one who will be taking this Emerald now," she finished for him.
She turned to go.
"Oh no, you don't!" he shouted suddenly brave again.
Mystic bolted but Tails grabbed her wing.
"Let me go!" she shouted trying to beat his hand off.
"Not until you drop those Chaos Emeralds," Tails growled tightening his grip.
"Oh, I'll give you something but it won't be these Chaos Emeralds!" Mystic turned and kicked him in the face.
The two tailed fox flew backwards. Mystic heard something rip but didn't pay any attention. She ran to the door of the hanger (Which was now open) and ran outside.
When she was outside she flapped her wings and began to fly away.
Tails ran to the door only to find her gone. Where is that hedgehog? he thought looking around.
He noticed something red on the ground. He knelt down to examine it. He ran his hand over it and it stuck to his fingers. What is this? he thought.
The two tailed fox turned his hand over and studied the stuff in the moonlight. Blood? he thought, how did-?
That's when he realized he was holding something.
Tails opened his hand and stared at the thing. What in the world is this? Could it be? he thought staring at it. He rubbed his hand over it. The thing felt fleshy. It is!
The thing in his hand was a piece of a wing!
Tails looked back at the sky trying to figure things out. A flying hedgehog. An ultimate life form? Who created her? Why? What does she need the Chaos Emeralds for anyway?