All characters belong to their respective owners.

And thanks, Storm, for naming my OC.

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The Journey of Gerald Robotnik - Chapter 3 - Temple

Angry, did not begin to describe how Maria felt.

Here she was, being dragged by the hair across the ground by some crazy Echidna! If she had known that this trip would stink so much, she wouldn't have given her Grandpa the idea to come!

Maria, the (still) un-conscience Gerald, and the strange Echidna finally got through the thick foliage and came out into a clearing. The Echidna tossed Maria and Gerald onto the ground. Gerald landed flat on his stomach, and Maria landed on her butt. She winced in pain, but the Echidna paid her no mind. He looked around the clearing until something seemed to catch his eye. Moving quickly, he picked Gerald back up and dragged him over to a nearby pond, and tossed the professor into the water.

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The pain wouldn't stop.

Gerald had no idea how long he had in pain, and by now he had stopped caring. He just wanted it to stop.

Suddenly, a cool, cleansing feeling rushed over him. The pain stopped, and his vision began to return. And, Gerald noticed something, he was under water. He desperately made for the surface.

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The Echidna stared at the pond with an icy glaze. "If that human doesn't come back soon, he's gonna' drown." He thought to himself.

As if he had been cued, Gerald's soaking wet head burst out from under the water. He looked around, trying to regain his bearings. Gerald's eyes met with the Echidna's, and they stared at each other.

"Who are you?" Gerald asked the strange Echidna.

The Echidna fixed Gerald with a hard glaze, "That's not important, human. What is important, is that you tell me, where you found-" The Echidna stopped his speech, and reached into his cloak and pulled out the old parchment, "-this?" The Echidna snarled, finished with his speech.

Gerald, who seemed to ignore the Echidna's question, restated his question, "Tell me who you are!" the Professor stated in a raspy, worn voice.

The Echidna emitted a deep sigh, annoyed with Gerald. "Fine. If you must know, my name's Fate. Now, tell me where you found this scroll!"

Gerald gave the Echidna, now known as Fate, an odd look, "Why does it matter?" Gerald asked.

Rage flashed through Fate's eyes, by now he was bloody sick of all the questions, "Just answer the damned question! Where did you find this scroll!"

Gerald decided, that it was in his best interest to answer the Echidna's question. "I found it in an old temple in the Mystic Ruin." Gerald stated flatly.

A look of confusion overcame Fate's face. He had been sure that place held nothing useful . . . Against his better judgement, he decided that he had to get to those ruins. He grabbed Gerald's hand and flung him out of the water. Gerald landed with a soft crash.

"Grab the wretch and follow me to that strange machine you came in." Fate stated harshly. Gerald lifted himself up, wincing in pain, and walked over to Maria, who had been staring at the whole scene in awe. Gerald held out his hand and Maria took it, and they walked after Fate, heading to their shuttle.

Fate gestured toward the shuttle, "Get in." He stated flatly. Maria and Gerald, being in no position to disobey, complied, and got in the shuttle. Fate closed the door behind them, stepping into the ship.

"How did you even know we were even on this island?" Gerald questioned the Echidna. Fate gave Gerald a look that screamed "Are you stupid or somethin'?" But no such words came out of his mouth. Instead, Fate answered Gerald's question.

"The controller told me bout' yer' coming, so I just waited for you to show up."

Every question the Echidna answered created ten more in its place, what was the "Controller," and what did it do? Gerald resisted the urge to bombard Fate with all of his questions and simply asked, "What is the Controller?"

Fate gave Gerald and angry stare, "Why don't you stop with the stupid questions and start the ship!" Fate spat.

For his own safety, Gerald decided against asking all of his questions. He told Maria to go sit in the chair next to his, and started the ship. The thrusters started, and the group was off for the Mystic Ruin.

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Sorry for the short lenthh, I'll try to make the next chapter longer. And plese, leave a review.