((( shame on me. Look how close together these chapters were posted? What can I say, I've found an awesome idea and I have to work with it. Any road, here is part two of Itshell's own little minisaga. (She actually appeared out of nowhere, noh dah. I wasn't even expecting it! BTW,I got the name Itshell from -in ancient history-the mayan goddess of darkness.) Hope you all liked part one, but I'll never know because you PEOPLE DON'T REVIEW! Except, Piccolo, bless his heart.
Piccard: Piccolo? Do I LOOK like a musical instrument?
Sonic: doesn't look green either. That would be strange.
Knuckles: green? What? Grapes?
Sally: yay! I have a part in the story! Let Soni-kun and me get back together? Pwease?
A: sadly, he's still doing this fling with Val. He'll come to his senses, luv, just you wait.
Sa: yay! A foreshadowing! Wait, aren't you opposed to foreshadowing?
A: O.O oh, shit. I foreshadowed. -bangs head against nice wood board-
Shadow: did someone say my name?
K: what? Oh, grapes.
Itshell: muwahahahahaaaa! I shall take over this author's note because I am the new evil supreme, ethereal, demonical, mean...um... damnitalltahell, I ran out of adjectives.
K:...grapes?
Sn: ...chilidogs?
Sh: -.-;; ... I am surrounded by incompetence.
Espio: he tends to say that a lot lately... stealing my phrase, evil pincushion!
K: -petting grapes- my...prrrrreciouses...
I: -eyes Shadow hungrily, licks fangs-
Sh: O.O eep?
A: OKAAAY! Enough random mindlessness, I'm going to finish this thing for good... about nine chapters from now.
Sn: glad to see you can keep things short. T.T
(( Itshell: I OWN ALL! you are now my sex slave, wa.Aeyvi doesn't own Sonic)))
K: ah! I get it! Grapes! It all makes sense now...
Chapter 14- Welcome Home
Sonic instinctively had curled himself in a ball, cowering behind the wall of the wrecked shelter. The others (Vector, Espio, Amy, and Tails) were bracing themselves as well, waiting for disaster to strike. Just then, everyone jumped, emitting little shrieks of surprise as Sonic's cell rang. He fumbled for it, shakingly opening it and placing it to his cheek.
"H-h-hello?"
"Hey sexy! Where are you? I found the note you left. What do you mean, saving the world? Where did you run off to?" came the merry voice of Velociti.
"C-can't-t talk right now, Val. B-...busy."
"Wow, what's wrong? Are you ok?"
"No..."
He poked his head above the broken wall cautiously, squeaked upon seeing the daunting floating form above, ducking back down.
"Look, Val, can I call you back? It's a r-really, bad t-time for me..."
"Alright... take it easy..."
He hung up, panting while lying back against the wall.
"What do we do now, Sonic?" Tails asked, clinging to him.
"Pray that she goes away, maybe?"
Beyond the wall, the two still stood, defiant to whatever power this new demon possessed. Upon hearing Knuckles call to Tarsa, this gave Shadow the idea, following suite.
"KARPAAA! ARE YOU IN THERE?"
--.o:o.--
She moved in her sleep, turning on her side. She felt the flow of the sheets against her skin. Nine-hundred count Egyptian cotton... 'I must be home...'
She sat up in her own oversized bed, pushing back the black sheets, looking around.
"Daddy? Are you there?"
He usually at least replied. If she were ill, he would never go far from her bedside. But no reply came, no worried father burst through the door to comfort his child. Maybe it had all been a dream, she hoped.
In swinging her feet over the edge, she discovered she was wearing her favorite black silk dress with the long, slit sleeves. She had accidentally torn it last year, ruining the fine fabric beyond mending when she had 'accidentally' gotten into a bit of a skirmish with the prince of a neighboring land. No one but NO ONE calls Karpa Fairchild a floozy. And the insult had no cause either. She was always a lady at those gatherings... save that one time.
"I guess they were able to fix it..." she assumed. "But why am I wearing it now?"
She stepped to the large glass double doors that led to her private patio overlooking the Taskorin Sea. How quickly, it seemed, she had returned to her country. It seemed like only a few moments ago she was injured, lying in that ghastly cot...
"Demi? Norah?" she called out to her two personal servants when she had opened the doors. There came no reply. She paused for a minute, gazing out at the startling blue-green of the salty expanse of water, breathing in deeply the rich scent of salty air tinged with orange blossom and magnolia. 'Strange,' she thought. 'I didn't know we had any magnolia trees...' She walked the opposite direction to her bedroom door, opening it and sticking her head out.
"...Mum?"
The empty hall was silent save the faint echo of turtledoves from the orchard. She stepped out onto the cool sand-colored marble, looking around.
"I can't be alone, can I?"
"Don't worry. You're not."
She froze. Her first instinct would have been reaching for her gun or cracking her knuckles together to release her blades, but she found herself absent of both. The voice was feminine, and had a silky tone to it, suave and sophisticated as her own. She closed her eyes, breathing slowly to quiet her rapid heartbeat from the fright she had taken.
"What are you doing in my house?" Karpa demanded, her back to the intruder.
"Don't you mean our house, Karpa?"
Puzzled, she was tempted to turn around, but refrained.
"Karpa, there's no need to get defensive. I'm your friend... you know me..."
Her eyes widened. She spun around.
Strangely enough, she found herself looking at a black version of herself, the white hair flowing over her tendrils even curled the same way. (AN- keep in mind, Tarsa has straight hair, so her version of Itshell did as well.) she was wearing a dress not much different from her own, save that it was golden. It shimmered as a stray ocean breeze snaked its way through Karpa's bedroom door, causing it to flutter slightly. She smiled with her bright red eyes knowingly, hands folded daintily in front of her.
"I've never even seen you before." Karpa said, frowning. "You're no friend of mine..."
The dark echidna frowned, raising a hand to her chest, taken aback. "How can you say that when we've known each other your whole life?"
Karpa gasped. "The Dark..." she looked around frantically. "I'm dreaming, aren't I? none of this is real..."
"Oh, it's very real. This is your home, Karpa, which you made for yourself."
"What are you talking about? What are you anyway?"
"Karpa, you've been searching for me your whole life." She stepped softly toward her, she backed away. "And now, you've found me! Your other half! Why aren't you happy?" she opened her slender arms. "Isn't this what you always wanted?"
Karpa stared at her in thought for a moment, smoothing a fold of her dress between her fingers.
"The Dark Emerald is capable of many things. Defeating whole armies, taking one to the other side of the earth in seconds, creating entire worlds from imagination..." her brow furrowed as she looked at the being apprehensively. "...but nothing that comes of the Dark Emerald is good."
The dark one shook her head, curls bouncing slightly. "Have you heard nothing I've said? I'm not evil..." her face took on a pious smile, her eyes pleading. "I am Itshell. I am the result of your good heart. You changed me, Karpa! You saved me!"
Karpa still bore the glare of trepidation in her pale eyes. "How did I save you? What in my life could I have done that was good enough a deed to award you or even myself redemption?" she threw her hands in the air, emitting an aggravated growl and turning away from her.
"I've been around the block enough times to know when someone's trying to bloody fuck me over and I can read it all over your face." This was a lie because she was really starting to believe the mysterious woman. She sounded so truthful; her proposition was so enticing...
"We both know that's not true, Karpa. After all, I've lived right next to your heart all these years. I should know enough about how it works."
"Stop acting like my mother!" she huffed, drawing herself inward. She shivered slightly as she felt the soft hands slip around her shoulders. She closed her eyes as she felt herself drawn into a tender embrace...
"Trust me, Karpa... why would I want to hurt you? I've grown to love you... like a sister... I've laughed with you, I've cried with you. After all, your search for me brought you to him, didn't it?"
"Sh...Shadow..."
"Yes... you never thought some rogue of a man would come along and steal your heart, did you?"
She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Am I supposed to owe you credit? It was my decision... rather my mistake... you and I both know he could never love. All he knows is hate... and lust..."
"Yes, but that's what draws you to him, isn't it?"
Karpa turned around, still in her arms, touching noses with her for a moment.
"You really are like a sister, aren't you? I've never been able to talk with any of my friends about men." She smiled, giggling.
"Let's change that, then . I'll tell you what, let's talk over some eggs benedict and caviar... one of your favorite champagnes as well?"
"By God, you really are my sister!" she chuckled, giving her a peck on the lips. "Yes, by all means, let's!"
-------------------------
"Tarsa...?"
There was that faint, far-off voice again. It seemed to come to her over the hills, from the water itself, from the green leaves of her tree... she knew she could never be happy in this place. Not without him...
"You miss him, love?"
"... how could I not?"
They were both sitting in the tree, Tarsa propped against her, resting an arm on her smooth leg. Itshell put down the book she had been reading aloud to her, sighing.
"If he means that much to you, I'll see if I can't get him for you."
She perked up, leaning her head back to look at her upside-down. "Really?"
"Sure! Why not? This place IS supposed to be perfect, isn't it?"
She quickly scrambled around on the wide branch, throwing her arms around her with glee, causing her to drop the book in surprise. She chuckled, hugging back.
"He must mean a lot to you..."
"He does... I know it's like...well, like I barely know him...I don't really... but I feel so..." She sighed blissfully into Itshell's neck, causing the dark echidna to blush slightly.
She pushed the star-struck girl away from her, holding her shoulders tenderly. "You stay right here, darling. He might not want to come, but I'll try..."
And with that, she disappeared.
--.o:o.--
"Who is the one called Knuckles?" the intimidating fiery being demanded.
Shadow, swallowing hard, beginning to lose a bit of his courage, pointed to the crimson one.
"Shadow, you are not safe." Knuckles warned stonily.
"You're a hell of a lot less safe than I am right now, so I think I'll take my chances."
He glared. "I will survive this, and after I'm done with her, you're next."
"I sincerely doubt that."
Knuckles just nodded, smirking smugly. "Seeya later."
And with that, he stepped toward the descending menace.
He regarded the woman stoicly, standing not half a foot from her.
"Tarsa seeks your company..." her voice had changed from the terrible roar to a smooth and inviting one, very much like Tarsa's.
Of course, he wasn't listening to anything she had to say, especially now that she was trying to tempt him. This showed a weakness... she was trying to bargain with him. Now was the time...
It was by far the hardest punch he believed he had ever thrown because he could feel some of the muscles in his arm ripping from the strain. She staggered back a couple steps, holding her cheek in surprise, her eyes narrowing to glowing slits.
"That was your only chance to live, you fool!" she shot forward, grasping him by the throat, lifting him forcefullyoff his feet.
He remained still, grasping tightly her hand with both of his, just maintaining that eye contact. Both of their eyes were narrowed with hatred, both filled with determination.
"You...kk... will not...ggk...win..." he wheezed out, one of his eyes beginning to twitch in pain.
He swung back and kicked her forcefully in the chest, causing her to lose her grip. He pulled free, gasping for air, but taking stance nonetheless.
--.o:o.--
"Tarsa, he's resisting. I may need your help." The soft voice sailed on the air.
"What can I do?"
"Talk to him. Tell him it's alright."
--.o:o.--
He crouched lower as she stepped back to him.
"Tarsa would like to speak to you."
"LIAR!"
"Knuckles...?" came the innocent voice, the demon's eyes suddenly melting into that shimmering pastel green.
"Tarsa! can you hear me?"
"Knuckles, come on! Itshell has made a place for us! She's here to help!"
"Itshell, huh?" he sneered. "Tarsa, whatever she's told you, don't believe it. All she wants is destruction and death."
"But, Knuckles... you don't understand! You have it all wrong!"
"IT'S A TRAP, TARSA! GET AWAY! DON'T LET HER-"
--.o:o.--
"He's delirious, my child." Itshell shook her head. "It's so sad... he'll die out there, he knows it."
"I can't stay here, then." Tarsa sniffled, removing the diamond tiara from her head. "Let me go, now."
"I'm sorry, Tarsa, I can't do that."
Her brow creased with shock and anger.
"Why? You said you only wanted me to be happy! I won't be happy without him!" she threw her tiara down, standing on the tree branch. "I want my body back! NOW!"
She suddenly found herself in the darkness, a little cold. She looked around, frightened and bewildered.
Her eyes fell upon her lover, crouching and scowling up at her.
Her eyes softened, she held her arms out to him.
"Knuckles..."
She felt a sudden great force to her gut, hacked for air as she fell to the ground, bright spots clouding her vision. The pain raked her small frame, causing tears to well in her eyes, to spot the dead leaves on the ground. She tried to crawl away, but then felt herself pinned by a heavy foot, crushing her spine.
She wailed shrilly when she found the air, tears streaming down her face.
"Knuckles! Stop! It's me!"
--\.o:o./--
She spat the sweet champagne, feeling a sharp pain up her spine.
"CHRIST! MY BACK!"
"It's alright, Karpa, it'll be gone soon." Itshell said calmly, taking another bite of the caviar-spread cracker in her hand.
Karpa doubled over, falling out of her chair. She cried out, grasping the leg of the table.
"You bitch! What are you doing to me?"
"Rather, what is that Knuckles fellow doing to you?"
"N...Knuckles?" she gasped, crying out again as she felt a sharp kick to her side.
"AAAUUGHHH! MAKE IT STOP!"
"I can't. You can try if you like, but Tarsa's taken complete control of her side."
"Side? What's going on here?"
Itshell sighed heavily, removing the cream-colored napkin from her lap and setting it on the glass table.
"I have to go and fix this. Take care."
"TAKE CARE?" she writhed in agony, coughing up blood.
"I'll be right back. You'll see." She blew a kiss to the one on the floor before turning her back on her and disappearing.
"YOU GAWDAMN BLOODY BITCH! COME BACK HERE! AAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHH!"
--.o:o.--
Sonic and crew watched intently from their refuge, wincing at every blow he gave her.
"She sure is weak for someone who vaporizes people with a glance..." Vector observed.
"Maybe Tarsa won't let her attack him..." Amy cringed as he picked her up by the hair.
"Wow, he's really being brutal! I don't think I've ever seen him like this!" Sonic rose a little more to his feet, looking inside the shelter momentarily.
"Hey, guys, I can see Sally from here. I'm goin' in. watch my back, just in case."
Vector and Espio nodded.
"Knuckles..." She looked up at him with begging reddened eyes.
A silent tear slipped down his cheek, lip quivering as he pulled back a fist.
"please...stop it..." she pleaded breathlessly. Her voice was weak with pain; she wrenched her face, preparing for the punch.
He dropped her, falling to his knees beside her. "I'm so sorry, Tarsa... I had to...I had to free you... I know you're in there somewhere..."
"I'm here... I'm... here..."
Her eyes widened suddenly as she lay on her side.
"no... NO! stay away! NOOO!"
Her cries died as her eyes lost their pale innocence, her slackened mouth curling in a devious smirk. She rose to her feet with some difficulty.
"I must say... That was impressive." She spat some blood to the side. "But unfortunately, your girlfriend felt all the pain, not me."
"W...what?"
"That's right. Every time you hit me, you're hitting her... and Karpa."
"Knuckles, pull back. It's useless."
"You think I'm going to listen to you? Shut up and run off like the little pussy you are, Shadow."
The hedgehog emitted a low growl. "Call methat again and you'll be picking up your own entrails."
He ignored the threat, continuing to glare at his new enemy. "I won't let you have her."
"Fine." she crossed her arms, 'hmmf'ing. "Kill me then."
He hesitated, brow twitching in uncertainty. "I...I can't."
"This is true. First, because you're too attached to emotion to harm your mate, and second, because I am truly indestructible." She grinned triumphantly. "So, tell me what you're going to do."
He was speechless. There was nothing he could do. Her demoniacal grin widened as she held up a hand, fingertips glowing. She tilted her head to the side, eyes narrowing.
"Any last words?"
((( Good GAWD! What's going to happen next? -shares a tub of popcorn with Sonic and Tails-
T: this is brilliant! The plot has formed nicely, bravo! -munches-
Sn: I wanted to go back to the part where the girls were kissing! Why couldn't there at least be mud wrestling or-
A: lordsake, Sonic! It was a peck!
Sn: ...they were still kissing, neh.
A: T.T ruff. Ok, review and I'll think about continuing. Chao.)))