.:Chapter 15:.
Imaginary
I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming
Monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops
As they're falling tell a story
In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby (paper flowers)
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me (paper flowers)
Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos - your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape
In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby (paper flowers)
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me (paper flowers)
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light
In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby (paper flowers)
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me (paper flowers)
-Imaginary, Evanescence
Cyan shivered in the pitch blackness that surrounded her. She no longer knew where she was . . . there was nothing known and familiar. Only a neverending darkness in every direction . . . and that voice that continued to haunt her thoughts.
"Who are you?" she cried, her voice echoing on into nothingness.
"Who am I?" the voice queried. "I am the truth, Cyan, the cruel truth. This dream world in which you live must come to an end. It's time to return to reality.""No!" Cyan pleaded, tears filling her eyes. "This is reality now! Me and my friends only thought it was imaginary, but it's real! I tell you it's real!"
"It's a trick of your overly-active imagination, Cyan, nothing more. If you are ill enough, your mind can make you see things that aren't really there. Can't you see? It's a sickness! You're sick, Cyan."
"I am not! I've learned that as long as you believe in something, it's real. This is no dream! This is no longer a fantasy!""Foolish girl!" came the sharp reply. "That's all it's ever been is a fantasy, and that's all it ever will be. Use your head and think clearly for once! Chaos Emeralds, magic, demons, creatures who can speak intelligently and run at supersonic speed . . . it's all impossible!"
Cyan's hazel eyes flared defiantly. "Impossible things happen . . . Unsinkable ships sink, and impossible feats take place every day. In this universe of ours, anything is possible."
"Then why is it that everyone else on Earth can't magically become a part of their own little dream worlds? Why should you and your friends be different?""Because we believe!"
"You're all ill is what's really happening. You're imaginations have taken control of you, and they keep you in this grand illusion. You must let it go! It can't last forever, Cyan. You know that's another law of the universe--that nothing lasts forever!""I will never let go!" Cyan yelled with all her might, trembling. "I love this world! It's not a dream, it's reality! It's where I belong! Nothing can take me away from it now! Nothing! Nothing!"
"Oh, don't be so sure about that, dear girl. There are ways to take you out of this world. And you will see in time how they will begin to work on you and your friends, Trau and Khare. Might as well bid your farewells to Mobius, Cyan, for it's the last you'll ever see of it."
"No!" Cyan cried, falling to her knees. "Never! You can't take me! I'll never leave! Never! Never!"
"Cy . . . Cy . . . Cyan, wake up."Cyan woke with a start, her heart racing, her body covered in sweat. She was terrified that she'd still see the endless film of black around her, but there before her were Sonic's gentle eyes. Relieved, she leaned her head against his shoulder, trying to relax her breathing.
"You were having a bad dream," he explained softly. "we've been trying to wake you up for a while now . . . nearly four hours."
"Four hours . . . ?" The girl looked up in bewilderment, and suddenly realized that she didn't recognize any of her surroundings.
They were no longer in the valley. They were nestled somewhere high on a mountainside, sheltered by an overhanging cliff face. All around her were the wounded Freedom Fighters, some covered from head to toe in black and red burns, others limping badly from injuries sustained in the panic to escape Hyper Trau. They were all weary, weak, and in a great deal of pain. Sonic himself had nearbly been scorched black from the flaming energy, and when Cyan noticed the long burn mark on his left arm, she gasped."Sonic, you're hurt . . . ""It's nothin'," he answered quickly. "just a burn. I was lucky. Rote and Hershey got it bad . . . they're with Dr. Quack now."
Cyan tried to sit up and look around more, but the terrible weakness in her limbs brought her back down again, and suddenly a seering pain ran along her right shoulder and her back.
"Easy," said Sonic, steadying her. "You've got a nasty burn too. It's nothin' too serious, but Doc says you should stay still."
Cyan winced and painfully laid back down again as an overwhelming dizziness made her head spin. "Sonic . . . what happened?"
"We don't know for sure . . . " he said with a heavy sigh. "We were down in the valley, when Naugus appeared. He had the emeralds with him . . . Vren and Khare too. We were about to fight him, when all of a sudden . . . Trau, she--she just flew into a wild rage. She absorbed the emerald's power and destroyed everything . . . it was insane . . . we were finally forced to retreat, and that's when you blacked out. I don't know what happened, but Trau suddenly went mad and attacked everything in sight. There was no saving her . . . "Cy closed her eyes and tried to remember that chaotic fight. It was difficult, and it made her head ache terribly, but at last the horrific images of Hyper Trau returned to her, and her eyes widened."Sonic, listen to me . . . Trau has a Hyper form . . . like Knuckles does. Only hers is deadly . . . it's fueled by extreme anger and rage. If she gets angry enough, she can lose control over herself, and forget everything. That's what must have happened . . . ""A Hyper form?" Sonic asked. "But those are very rare . . . Knux is the only other one I know to have a Hyper form, and he's the Guardian. He's supposed to have that ability.""Trau has a connection with the Master Emerald just like he does. But she can't totally harness its energy. It has to flow in and out of her, otherwise it'll just overwhelm her until she collapses from exhaustion . . ."
"So that's why Naugus wanted Trau," said Sonic. "For her Hyper form."
Cyan nodded and lowered her eyes sadly. "He's taken us all . . . soon he'll have me too."
"Hey, don't talk like that," he answered gently, looking into her eyes. "Everything's gonna be OK. When have I ever let you down when I said that?"
Cy smiled weakly. "Never, Blue. You've never broken your promises."
"'Atta girl. Just don't worry. We'll be fine. I've been talkin' to Unc. We're getting ready to split up."
"Split up?" Cyan asked worriedly.
"Don't worry - the others are just gonna get you out of the Void so you can get better. The rest of us are going after Naugus. Too much time's passed . . . we've gotta stop him."
"But--" Cy started to say, but Sonic silenced her by putting his hand on her cheek.
"I don't like it either, Cy . . . you and I have always fought side-by-side. But Unc's right. It's for your own good. If you stay in the Void . . . you're doomed."Cyan closed her eyes miserably. She never liked the idea of being away from Sonic, no matter how necessary it was. Despite the fact that it would mean death to stay on the Floating Island, she wanted to go wherever Sonic went, as always.
For a while Sonic sat there beside her, silent, trying to conceal the great concern he had in the Freedom Fighters splitting up. Getting out of the Void wouldn't be easy, but it was their only hope for saving Cyan. Sonic figured he'd be able to help them once he found the Chaos Emeralds and liberated them of Naugus's power. Then he could possibly end the spell causing the Void to spread, and defeat Naugus. But what he didn't mention was the fact that he'd have to fight alone. While many of the Freedom Fighters were capable to aiding him in combat, they were all either too weary or too injured to fight now--except for maybe Knuckles. Although he was badly wounded, physically and emotionally, from the previous battle, he insisted on fighting Naugus too.
"I can't let him get away with what he did to Trau," he had said
And indeed Knuckles seemed lost without Trau. He became more aloof, as Sonic had, and always had his fists clenched angrily. He spoke rarely, and glared often. It was now many of the Freedom Fighters were beginning to realize just how close he and Trau had become.
Well, Sonic knew how the Guardian felt, and would gladly accept him as his one ally in the war against Naugus. They would just have to defeat the evil sorcerer before it was too late and the Void engulfed the entire planet . . . otherwise, everything left of Old Mobius was doomed.
Minutes later Sonic rose reluctantly.
"Well, I had better talk to the others one last time before we go."
"When are we splitting up?" Cyan asked.
"Dawn," Sonic replied. "But I'll come back and stay with you for the rest of the night. And that I promise too."
He was about to move off when suddenly there came a sound from the forest just below the ledge the camp sat on, and upon hearing it, Sonic stiffened, instantly on guard. The other Freedom Fighters had heard it too, and quickly gathered together, prepared to fight. For a second there was nothing but silence . . . but then the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs began to grow louder . . . and closer.
"Who goes there?" Sonic asked, stepping forward.
Then, suddenly, out from the trees came Shadow, staggering toward the Freedom Fighters as quickly as possible. Seeing the threat, Sonic's eyes blazed and he shot forward immediately. His friends would not be harmed again!
But much to the Freedom Fighters' surprise, as Shadow saw Sonic hurtling toward him, he suddenly fell to his knees, holding his hands up and cringing.
"Peace!" he cried, ears lowered in submission.
Sonic skidded to a halt and stood over him, glaring down at Shadow. "If you've come for a fight, you'll surely get one!"
"I mean no harm . . ." Shadow panted quickly. "Please let me explain. I haven't got a lot of time . . . I've found out that Naugus is the real enemy . . . and that he has betrayed me . . . he promised to bring a dear friend of mine back from the dead, in exchange for me working for him. But he lied . . . he merely used me for my Chaos Control power, holding me under Kaligarr's hypnosis. I no longer fight on his side. I managed to save one Chaos Emerald, but that monster . . . the one they call Trau . . . "
Suddenly Knuckles pushed through the crowd. "Trau?"
"Yes," Shadow nodded. "Her . . . she attacked me, wounded me badly. It was all I could do to transport here, and find you . . . And now I'm being hunted . . . By the demon--Vren . . . "
The Freedom Fighters looked at each other, surprised by Shadow's tale. At first Sonic was very wary, for it seemed suspicious that one of Naugus's minions would suddenly show up and ask for assistance, just to infiltrate the Freedom Fighters from the inside. But then he realized just how rugged a condition Shadow was in . . . all over he was torn, bruised, and bleeding, his eyes blackened and his voice heavy with exhaustion. There was no mistaking the terrible energy burns that marred Shadow's black-and-red hide. Cleary there had been one horrific battle between him and Hyper Trau . . .
Sonic eyed Shadow carefully. "So you're switching sides . . . is that it?"
"Please," said Shadow, lowering his head. "I've been wrong . . . Naugus is my enemy. I wish to fight against him rather than for him . . . I wish to join the Freedom Fighters."
Sonic and the others stared down at the dark hedgehog, shocked. Never had they believed this to be a possibility . . . That an ally of Naugus would switch alliances. To be honest, they didn't really know how to react to Shadow's request.
"How can we trust you?" Sonic asked finally, tilting his head. "How do we know this isn't just a trick Naugus is playing, with you under Kaligarr's control?"
"I swear by the power of the Chaos Emeralds it's not," Shadow answered. "I join you on my own free will. I can prove myself to you . . . just give me a chance . . . please . . . " he dropped his eyes again. "I have to fight Naugus . . . he betrayed me . . . and now he has Khare under control . . ."
"Khare?" a faint voice asked from the very back of the gathered Freedom Fighters.
Quickly they all moved aside to reveal Cyan, gazing questioningly at Shadow.
"What about Khare under his control?"
Shadow sighed. "Apparently . . . she . . . she found out Naugus's real intentions and . . . must have decided that she'd rather sell her soul to him than see me hurt . . . " A strange look came into Shadow's eyes just then . . . one that almost seemed touched in a way, as though he were feeling something he never had before.
"So you're telling me that Naugus has complete control over Khare?" Knuckles asked. "What about Trau?"
"He's got a strong hypnosis spell over her--one combining his power, Khare's power, and Kaligarr's. Not only that, he keeps her in and out of her Hyper form, holding her under restraint when she's out, and turning her into a demon when she's not. Though just what he's doing to drive her into those insane rages I don't know . . . But she can go Hyper instantly if angered enough."
"I say we accept him," said Knuckles. "He has inside information and a Chaos Emerald, he can help us, Sonic."
"True . . . " Sonic nodded. "But how can we be sure it's not just a trick?"
"I'm not so sure about it . . . " one of the Freedom Fighters said.
"He can't be trusted! He's worked for Naugus!" another added.
"But what if he really does want to help?" one more asked.
Soon nearly the whole group was arguing over the issue. Amid all the noise, though, Shadow's ears suddenly came up, and his body went rigid. There . . . in the darkness just on the other side of the ledge . . . a pair of hungry, red eyes . . .
Immediately Shadow jumped to his feat and leapt forward. "Get down!"
No sooner had the words came from his mouth, Vren suddenly lunged out of the shadows, filling the air with his fierce roar. The Freedom Fighters had to scatter to avoid the giant demon as he landed in the center of the camp, his venomous fangs bared and dripping with poison. For a moment he lost sight of his original target, and began to tear through the camp, slashing the tents and trees out of his way and threatening to trample anyone in his path. At first Shadow tried to remain low and out of Vren's field of vision, but once he saw the danger he was putting his newfound allies in, his eyes suddenly blazed. Through the panicked group he pulled himself with painful effort, and raced toward Vren.
"Hey! Demon! Over here! It's me you want!"
Vren whirled around at the sound of his voice, and with a snarl and a flash of black, was thundering straight toward him. Shadow turned and ran in the opposite direction, trying to lead the demon away from the camp, but the injuries he had sustained from the battle against Trau and his exhaustion began to tell on him, and he suddenly stumbled into the snow. The moment Vren saw him down, he abruptly launched himself into the air, forelegs outstretched and ebony claws extended. Again Shadow tried to move--but it was too late. In a matter of split-seconds Vren reached him and slammed his massive forepaw down on his chest, pinning him to the ground.
"Vren!" Sonic shouted, dashing forward.
Vren lowered his head until Shadow could feel his hot breath on his face, growling lowly. Desperately Shadow struggled, gasping for breath as Vren pressed almost all five tons of his weight down on him, pushing him into the snow. But it was no use--Shadow was too weak from the previous fight to escape Vren's iron grasp.
Quickly the other Freedom Fighters ran forward to help Shadow. Suddenly Sonic grabbed a rock and hurled it at Vren, catching him full on the muzzle.
Furiously Vren whipped his head around, roaring in pain and rage. When he saw Sonic, another enemy of Naugus, his eyes glowed like embers.
Sonic glared back at Vren fearlessly. He had known the demon--even in his dark form--far too long to be afraid of him now.
"Vren, what has Naugus done to you?" Sonic asked, shaking his head angrily. "Vren, listen to me--you know who I am!"
Vren snorted and growled warningly, the hair along his thick mane standing on end. Some of the Freedom Fighters near Sonic edged away nervously.
But Sonic didn't move. He showed no sign of fear whatsoever . . . he kept his eyes locked on Vren's, searching for something . . . "Remember us Vren," he commanded. "The Freedom Fighters. We helped you when Naugus betrayed you . . . Naugus is your enemy!"
The demon tossed his head and roared in defiance. Something was beginning to happen in his head . . . pictures were coming back to him . . . memories. The dark Vren didn't know what they were, but the good one trapped inside did, and it was fighting to break free.
Sonic stepped forward, his emerald eyes boring into Vren's. "You know who we are. Let it go, Vren. Remember who you really are. You're good, pure--you fight on the side of light, not darkness! Naugus! He did this to you, Vren! Fight him!"
For a second Vren's growls subsided, and he loosened his death hold on Shadow. But then another voice entered his head.
"He lies. He is the enemy, and so are his followers. Fight him, Vren! He stands in our way! Fight him!"
All at once Vren's eyes seemed to glow redder and his fur blacker. With a loud, blood-curtling snarl, he rounded back on Shadow and shoved him to the ground again, threatening to crush him. The nearby Freedom Fighters gasped and Shadow tried to fight, but he couldn't move or breathe.
"Vren, no!" Sonic yelled. "Whatever Naugus is telling you, don't listen to him! Remember who your real friends are Vren! Remember how Naugus promised to fight as your equal, but then betrayed you and your fellow Night Demons! Remember that!"
Vren shook his head furiously and emitted a low growl that soon turned into a painful groan as a battle of wills raged on inside his head.
"Nonsense! All of it! He's just trying to trick you, Vren! Do it! Get the emerald Shadow has! Now!"
Vren began to tremble and pant heavily, terribly confused inside. One moment he looked toward Sonic hopefully, as though pleading for help, and the next, he bared his teeth and faced Shadow with a deadly snarl, continually pressing his weight down on the black hedgehog. And as the voices screamed at him in his head, he only grew more frustrated, and began to stagger sideways, tossing his head madly to relieve the pain.
The Freedom Fighters despaired. If this kept up much longer, Vren would crush Shadow, a possibly valuable ally. Sonic continued to speak to him, but so did Naugus . . . soon his anger would get the best of him.
Then, something quite remarkable happened. Suddenly, from the back of the group, Cyan painfully pulled herself to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her. How she managed to keep from collapsing from her terrible exhaustion was beyond all who saw her. Even she didn't know where this sudden strength had come from, but slowly, inch by inch it seemed, she limped toward Vren.
"Cy," Sonic gasped.
"Keep talking to him," Cy answered breathlessly. She was now coming dangerously close to Vren, and the Freedom Fighters stared in astonishment and terror.
Vren turned cold, threatening eyes on her, his snarls gradually growing louder. Inside Cyan was trembling fearfully, but still she found herself walking toward the black killer before her. She didn't know what exactly was happening, nor just what she was doing--it was as if a spell had suddenly come over her. She was sure Vren would leap at her any minute and kill her, but not even that fear stopped her from moving forward, and eventually reaching her hand out toward the demon's muzzle!
At that instant Vren roared and whipped his head round, jaws open wide!
"Cy, no!" Sonic cried, dashing forward.
The Freedom Fighters' hearts stopped . . .
But then, to everyone's utter amazement, Cyan touched Vren's huge muzzle gently, and all at once he froze, as though he had been petrified. Everything--the demon's intimidating snarls, the venom dripping from his teeth, the bristling fur on his back--everything stopped completely. Her heart pounding, Cyan looked up softly into Vren's eyes, and he seemed totally mesmerized. The Freedom Fighters could hardly believe what they were seeing, and held their breaths. Sonic stood on edge, prepared to spring forward as fast as possible if Vren dared harm her. But despite her own overwhelming terror, Cyan whispered to Vren quietly.
". . . Remember, Vren . . . Remember light . . . Remember justice and truth . . . kindness and love . . . friendship and trust. You've lived for years among the darkness, a cruel, murderous beast. But you can't forget who gave you real friendship and kindness, no matter how much evilness fills your soul now . . . Goodness cannot be killed."
Vren pricked his ears, listening to Cyan's voice intently. His red eyes seemed to widen and grow lighter.
"Vren!" Naugus cried in his head. "What's happening to you, you fool! Fight her! She tells you nothing but lies!"
But it was no use. No matter how Naugus shouted at him, he couldn't stop the growing feeling of recognition in Vren's heart, as the sensations of kindness and friendship flooded back to him. Slowly the fur along his back fell into place, and he loosened his grip on Shadow once more.
Cyan turned to Sonic. "Talk to him now, Sonic . . . "
Sonic was astounded, but trusting Cyan, he walked up beside her and spoke to the demon.
"Remember me, bud? Sonic? We're comrades, you and I. We fight evil together. You remember belonging, don'tcha pal? Belonging with friends . . . friends who are loyal and understanding, who'll never betray you like Naugus? That's what you really want. Remember . . ."
Then Sonic reached up and put his hand on Vren's muzzle and against Cyan's, and when he did, a golden glow suddenly surrounded the three of them, glowing with such a radiant intensity that the Freedom Fighters had to shield their eyes. Naugus continually yelled at Vren, but not even his incredible magic was a match for the combined love of Sonic and Cyan that now flowed around the King of the Night Demons. It fought the wizard fiercely, never giving an inch to him, until at last it forced him out completely. At that moment, Vren's black fur suddenly turned to pure white, his crimson eyes turned to gold, his evil forked tail became plumed and graceful, the horns on his head became a golden crown, and his enormous demon wings turned into the beautiful feathered wings of an angel. With a breath of exhaustion and relief, Vren finally lifted his paw off of Shadow, and fell back on his haunches. Vren had been freed from the spell.
The crowd beyond stood aghast for a second longer, and then, once they remembered to breathe, applauded and gasped in astonishment. Shadow scrambled to his feet, coughing heavily, but otherwise unharmed. Poor Vren shook his head and looked gratefully toward Sonic and Cyan.
"Thank you my friends . . ." he panted. "You've saved me . . . "
"What happened, Vren?" Sonic asked.
"Naugus," Vren snarled, baring his teeth. "He brought me here with his magic . . . and that miserable griffin! Kaligarr. They hypnotized me and turned me back into a true Night Demon . . . I feared that I'd never be myself again. Thank you so much . . ." he turned his great white muzzle toward Cyan. "Who's your friend?"
"It's me, Vren," she smiled, though she looked exhausted herself. "Jess."
"Jess?" Vren inquired, tilting his head. "By the stars, what's happened to you? You're a Mobian!"
"Long, long story, bud," said Sonic. "We'll explain later."
"Sonic, what's Naugus up to exactly? I know he mentioned something about Sanctuary and the Void and taking over Mobius . . . but how? Why?" Vren asked.
"He's taken the Chaos Emeralds," came Sonic's answer. "With them he's been able to make the Void spread all over Mobius. It'll eventually engulf it completely. The Void, Vren, was discovered by Naugus. It's a portal into a realm where anything is possible, including Naugus's magic. But the problem is the Void isn't safe . . . " he paused and lowered his eyes. "Those who are exposed to it for too long can grow ill . . . Unfortunately, that's what's happened to Jess--or Cyan as she's now called. We need your help, Vren. Naugus has taken Nat and Kim prisoner, and he's made Cy sick. He plans on using all their powers to take over the planet, and squash any resistance. And we're running out of time."
Vren pawed the snow with a snort. "By all means, let us go then! I won't just sit around while my greatest ally's world is being engulfed by another dimension!"
"I can take you to Naugus," Shadow suddenly broke in, and everyone turned to him. "But I must warn you . . . he's being heavily guarded. Not only by Trau and Khare, the other girls. But also by his powerful magic and other demons."
Vren growled. "Fool . . . thinks he can control my Night Demons better than I! Curse you, Naugus!"
"Well what are we waiting for?" Knuckles asked. "We've got two new allies who know all about Naugus's forces. And I think we've proven Shadow's trustworthy--he's nearly been killed twice for our sake. Let us go and fight!"
"Here, here!" Vren roared mightily, rearing up on his hindlegs.
Their spirits rallied, the Freedom Fighters began to cheer on, eager to fight Naugus before sunrise. But their morale was short-lived, for suddenly Cyan collapsed, and they were instantly at her side.
"Cy, what's wrong?" Sonic asked, holding her head up in his arms.
She had grown paler than before, and there were dark circles around her eyes. "Sonic . . . " she moaned, trying to reach for him, but failing miserably.
"What? What's wrong?" Sonic pleaded, but her eyes were already rolling back into her head. Desperately he shook her to wake her up, but it was no use. She was unconscious again, and deathly cold to the touch.
Sonic growled in frustration. "Someone get her some water!"
"It doesn't matter what you do, hedgehog. She'll be dead in a matter of hours."
As one body the whole group of Freedom Fighters whirled around at the sound of Naugus's voice, and there he was, grinning back at them.
"Naugus!" Sonic snarled furiously. Like a blue whirlwind he charged Naugus at precarious speed, skidding to a sudden halt only when he was just inches from the evil wizard. When he faced Naugus, his eyes were raging storms of emerald fire. "Don't you dare! Don't you dare harm her or I'll thrash you till there's nothin' left!"
Ixis only smiled down at him, delighting in his fury. "Oh dear, so threatening. And I'd like to know what any of you will do to stop me. So what if you've won two of my followers? I've managed to get control of the most unruly monsters in this universe--Vren's Night Demons and Hyper Trau. My magic grows stronger by the minute, for I am quickly becoming alive."
"I don't care what blasted magic you have," Knuckles cried. "I'll gladly aid Sonic in tearing you apart even if it kills me!"
"Give it up, Freedom Fighters. It's already too late to save the girl," he gestured to Cyan, lying motionless in the Fighters' arms. "She has little more than two hours to live, for I am absorbing her life force more and more each moment. And as for Mobius . . . well, considering the spreading process is also quickening even as we speak, I'd guess it'd swallow the planet in roughly the same time frame."
The confident nonchalance in his voice made Sonic's blood boil.
"You'll never win Naugus! I'll fight you to the death if I must! Just lay a hand on Cyan and see what happens!"
Altogether the Freedom Fighters began growl in challenge and advance forward. Vren snarled lowly and stalked toward the wizard. Shadow tossed his head fearlessly and Knuckles clenched his fists. They were ready to fight, right then and there.
But even amid this display of hatred and fearlessness Naugus didn't seem fazed.
"Well, I'd love to watch each and every one of you fail miserably at trying to defeat me now, but unfortunately I must be going. Come along, Cyan . . ."
All of a sudden Cyan vanished into thin air, and at that moment the camp erupted into a frenzy. Overcome by rage every single Freedom Fighter thundered toward Naugus, teeth bared and eyes ablaze. Naugus smirked and disappeared right before they reached him, his villainous laughter echoing throughout the mountains . . . throughout the whole world.
"NO!" Sonic cried, kicking at the snow.
Angrily the Freedom Fighters turned to their leader, trembling in their eagerness to fight. They knew the battle was coming at last, for Sonic had been pushed as far as he would go. They were terribly shocked by how fast Naugus said the Void would swallow Mobius, and how fast Cyan would die, but that made them all the more determined to do battle.
Reading their thoughts, Sonic turned back to them, his eyes beautiful and terrible in their ferocity.
"We move now," he said through his clenched teeth. "We shall fight Naugus today! And we shall defeat him!"
In agreement the Freedom Fighters shouted and threw up their fists. Vren's mighty roar made the mountains quiver, and the faint light of the rising sun turned the clouds of the Void bloodred, fueling their wrath and determination still.
"What's the battle plan?" Knuckles asked.
Sonic thought for a second, and then turned to Shadow and Vren. "You said Naugus's base is heavily guarded? By the demons, Khare and Trau?"
"Yes," nodded Shadow. "He uses the Night Demons as an army. He'll probably send them out first."
"Where does he keep the emeralds?"
"They're hidden in a containment chamber next to Khare and Trau. Trau guards them fiercely."
"Then there's Kaligarr," added Vren. "He stays within Naugus's base as well. He's strong and he's fast, but his hypnosis, if held for a long period of time, makes him weak. He can only hold a powerful spell for so long before exhausting himself."
"OK," said Sonic. "We'll split up into two groups. I want one group to head directly toward Naugus's base and create a diversion for the Night Demons. Meanwhile, Knux, Shadow, Vren--you all come with me. We'll head in around back, and fight his strongest forces. Go for the emeralds. Once we have them under our control, Naugus's powers will be greatly weakened."
"All right," Knuckles nodded along with Shadow and Vren.
"Nihara," Sonic called, and the warrioress straightened. "You lead the first group. You're excellent at battle strategy and tactics--show 'em what you're made of!"
"Yes, Brother!" Nihara saluted, holding her head high with pride in being appointed as the leader of the troops.
"All right. Everyone, get up on Dulce! We're headed there full speed. We'll split up just before we reach the base. Vren, Shadow . . . take us to Naugus!"
Cyan found herself lost in the same, eternal blackness as before, only now, no matter how hard she tried, no matter how she pleaded for someone to wake her up, she just couldn't escape. This time it was a thousand times worse than before, for she couldn't block herself from that evil voice . . . She tried to run, but got nowhere. She tried to cover her ears, but the voice just echoed inside her head louder than ever. She screamed and cried to drown it out, but still it persisted. Her spirit was beginning to grow weary, for she couldn't fight this enemy, and it told her things that were slowly killing her.
"I told this all was a dream, girl. See? Look--this is the real world. Sonic and his universe are just a fairy tale." Suddenly a picture of Earth, and the life she had left behind appeared before her eyes.
"It's not true . . . " she moaned painfully. "It is real . . . it is . . . "
"No, it isn't. You cannot escape reality, Cyan. You are forever bound by it. And if you think Sonic's world will ever be real, you're sadly mistaken. It will never come to life, nor will your dreams. I know, I've seen your future."
"No . . . " Cyan cried. "I refuse to believe that! For the first time in my life, I'm seeing it all for real, hearing it, feeling it . . . it exists! I know it does!"
"You're lying to yourself. Believing is just another way of dreaming, of giving yourself false hope. It never comes true. You're wasting yourself all over nothing."
"I know it's true! It's here! In my heart!"
"And that's all it'll ever be. Face it, Cyan . . . you just believe in this world because it has everything you'll never have. You know no one would ever love you, would ever tolerate you to spend the rest of their days with you, so you believe that you and Sonic are together. You know you'd never be anything in your life, so you believe you're a part of the greatest group of heroes who've ever lived. It's your own little world you've created in a sense, the only world where you believe you completely belong. Just a lie, Cyan, just a lie."
Cyan shuddered as she heard these words, and desperately she tried to fight back . . . but suddenly she couldn't speak. She tried again and again, but nothing came from her mouth. Her voice was gone.
"You want something you can never have, Cy. That's what it is. Why can't you see you'll never have it? Why doesn't it faze you? Don't you realize it'll be forever? Forever you'll be tied to reality. Forever."
Cyan shook her head slowly. Fiercely she was screaming in her head, no, it's not true! but she couldn't speak it.
"Give up. There's no hope. No one--especially a hero as legendary as Sonic--will ever love you. You're too much of a coward to ever be a hero. So give it up."
Pain gripped Cyan's heart suddenly . . . that was true . . . she was a coward . . . too cautious, too fearful to ever plunge into the path of danger. That she could never hide . . .
"See?" asked the voice. "You know it as well as I. Face it. All you're doing is running from the truth--from life."
How can it be true? Cyan asked in her head. I'm so alive, so free in Mobius . . . everything is so perfect . . . and I've gotten all I ever wished for.
"You only think you've gotten all you wished for. It's just your wishes playing cruel tricks on your mind. Nothing more. It's not real."
But . . . but I love Sonic . . . with all my heart . . . No amount of distance could ever stop that.
"You may love him, but that doesn't mean he exists. You're just loving something that never was or will be. Don't you see you're only hurting yourself, in making yourself believe you have something you never will?"
Something strange was beginning to happen. A sort of blackness was filtering through Cyan's thoughts . . . something she could detect, but couldn't fight. And whatever it was, it was beginning to block the very things that kept her belief in Mobius alive--memories, friendships, feelings . . . Her eyes steadily grew blank and lifeless, and her skin pale. She almost seemed to die right then and there, for the very essence of her heart and soul were being stolen from her.
"Yes . . . " the voice whispered. "Forget about it all . . . there's no use in fighting it, Cyan. You'll never win, no matter how hard you try. Yes . . . forget everything you've ever seen on Mobius, everything you've ever smelled or heard or felt . . . it's all a hopeless fantasy. Let it disappear from your memory forever, into the darkness of the forgotten. Yes, come to me . . ."
Somewhere deep in her unconscious Cyan was fighting in a furious desparation, but the darkness only continued to thicken, blinding her from all she had ever known and loved. It was horrible--someone watching all they ever cared for disappear right before their eyes, and not being able to do anything about it. Cyan cried in agony inside, but her body was turning away, walking into the black abyss beyond.
I'll never forget this world! Never! I can't! she shouted.
"All you need is a little aid, my dear girl." Close by, in the Void, Naugus grinned evilly as his spell took effect.
Naugus! Cyan wanted to cry out furiously, but suddenly the name of the evil sorcerer who had started all this mess escaped her. She fought to remember it, searching through her memory, but to no avail. She had forgotten. And soon, more and more things were deleted from her memory, scenes of Mobius, names of the Freedom Fighters and enemies . . . It was all disappearing, and she could do nothing to stop it.
"Like I said--you cannot escape my magic. Oh, you'll be with your miserable hedgehog, but in death! Enjoy the afterlife, Cyan." And then, out of sheer cruelty alone, Naugus suddenly transformed the scenary around Cyan.
All of a sudden she jolted awake . . . but the moment she opened her eyes and realized where she was, a deep, indescribable pain stole through her heart. There, all around her, was her bedroom back on Earth. She lay in her bed, surrounded by all the fictional characters she loved. Sonic was there--but only in posters and magazines and game boxes.
Cyan looked down at her hands . . . but she was no longer Cyan, the Mobian she had been transformed into. She was a human once more, a being bound by the powerful forces of reality. She was Jessica.
In despair, Jessica hung her head, tears sliding down her cheeks, sobs of sorrow and loss shaking through her body. A dream . . . it had all been a fantastic dream . . . nothing more. All of it, every single event, every single sight and sensation . . . had just been a dream. So it was true. It had all been imaginary--a world created in her head. That's all. None of it ever happened, and none of it ever would. Going to Mobius through a miraculous link through time and space . . . becoming a part of the Freedom Fighters . . . winning Sonic's love at last . . . what a joke! What a cruel joke! She knew it had been too good, too wonderful to be true. Things like that never happened . . . they just didn't! They were only products of hopeful dreams and fantasies . . . of an over-active imagination.
Feeling sick, Jessica lied down in her bed and gave up. She had no more reason to live . . . it was all gone. Everything she had ever hoped for . . . And though the memories were gradually disappearing from her mind, she still felt that terrible agony of losing those she loved so dearly, that sickening anguish of defeat. She couldn't bear it . . . the sadness consumed her, overwhelmed her. She couldn't face reality and its cruelty any longer. All she wanted to do was sleep; sleep and return forever to the world which she loved so deeply. There was nothing else that tied her to life. All her friends and loved-ones were gone.
Miserably she pressed her head into her pillow, and fell into nothingness.
Back in the Void, Naugus stood over Cyan's unconscious form, grinning wickedly as the girl drifted farther and farther from life. Eyes gleaming brighter than ever, the wizard held up his hand to gazed contentedly at the living flesh that had been nothing but spectral mist hours before.
"I have won!"