Chapter Forty-Four
Me: Okay, we've spent exactly thirty chapters detailing the so-called journey of redemption for our heroes. Now a new task is at hand, but the other characters will have their turn in the sun for the time being, because, as I mentioned before, the four main characters will be stuck in a Hyperbolic Time Chamber-esque demiplane with Akuma.
Sonic: You sure like to steal stuff, don't you, Janus?
Me: I do not! Anyway, we have a lot to get to, so I may not have space for ShadAmy fluff.
ShadAmy Fans: Hey!
Me: Oh fine…since this is the end of a part of the saga, I can do a chapter of 4000+ words, so we can get a dose or two of ShadAmy fluff in too. Be prepared for a verylong read, though.
ShadAmy Fans: Yayness!
-- -- -- -- --
"What's the big idea with ditching us, Knux?" Sonic asked when he learned that Knuckles and Eberon were going back to the Academy. He knew that Mikael had to be picked up, but there seemed to be another reason.
"We need to visit someone at the Academy," Eberon replied. "We'll meet you at Sylvania as soon as possible. Fear not."
"Okay then, you two…I'll be seeing ya," Sonic replied before speeding off with Tahra and the others, leaving Knuckles and Eberon at the crossroads. Now with two less echidnas in tow, the group could pick up the pace.
"I wonder if that echidna girl Knuckles likes so much is involved" Sonic asked Tahra. She knew, of course, but didn't feel like telling him. She simply shrugged without answering. She was excited to reach Sylvania to no end. She hadn't seen her grandma in years. Most people her age would loathe going to grandma's house, but they didn't have the coolest grandma ever (at least in Tahra's opinion). Even so, there were times when Tahra wished she wasn't related to the old woman. She always pinched her cheeks whenever her parents dropped her off and such…the usual embarrassing stuff.
But her grandma wasn't the only reason she was excited to return to Sylvania…she had many friends there that she hadn't seen in years. There was a whole bunch of people who she couldn't remember, but one did stick out in her mind: Haishin. They were friends for a while…but the pressure for them to hook up only forced them apart. Haishin, of course, was not just some average hedgehog…he was the emperor's son…the heir to the throne. The most popular kid in school, the valedictorian, the captain of every team…anything Haishin desired, he got. He wasn't power-hungry, like those who wished to be by his side. In fact, he didn't like being the emperor's son. He just wanted to be normal, and not on top of the heap. She wondered what her old friend would be like…
Tahra was so lost in thought that when she fully regained awareness of her surroundings, several hours had passed, and it looked like Tails was calling to someone on a lower part of the ridge they were on. The voice that responded was one of a friend…
"Tails, what's with the ruckus?" Sonic asked before noticing exactly what was going on. He looked down and saw Shadow and Amy, with their own little group.
"Well splatter me with chili and put me on a bun," he then said in a jocular redneck accent, "if it isn't the two lovers…and it looks like you've been getting a bunch of new pals! Mind if we join up?"
"You know what they say, the more the merrier!" Amy called back up. Sonic waved the others over, and all of them skidded down the cliff. There were many exchanges of greetings, a hug here and there, and much excited chatter on the part of Charmy.
-- -- -- -- -- --
"Hey, Sonic…" Rouge said as the two got themselves ready to go to bed. "Where's Knuckles? I noticed he wasn't with you." Sonic stopped and tried to think of the best way to answer. He wasn't about to just tell Rouge that Knuckles had found a new girlfriend…but he didn't want to lie to her either. Rouge was still a friend of his, and he hated lying to his friends. But he had no choice here.
"He said he needed to be alone," he replied. Rouge saw right through his lie, being as perceptive as she was. She was both angry at the blue hedgehog for lying to her so blatantly, and distraught to what the truth might be. But she decided to play along and wait for him to blurt out the truth.
"…And where did he go?" she asked. Sonic started getting nervous. He had a feeling Rouge was on to him, but he continued to keep up his defenses.
"He went up to the mountain about twenty miles from here. He's going to see a friend…" Sonic then realized he had just contradicted himself, and there was no way he could get himself out of this now…he had to fess up.
Rouge, meanwhile, realized that the dream she had at the dojo was all too real. The mystery bride was definitely the one that Knuckles was visiting. Could this mean that it was only a matter of time? That horrible dream surged back to her conscious, and she stumbled away in horrified frustration. Was she really doomed to this horrible fate that kept playing in her mind…to watch someone who she showed love for turn his back to her while a beast of terrible evil tear away at her dignity as if it were nothing? She didn't want to believe it…
Sonic was disconcerted by this sudden change in Rouge's emotional state. Normally she was cool-headed and even aloof…now she was an emotional wreck. He wondered what he had said. He felt like consoling her, but found the weasel, Nack, approaching her. He listened in on the conversation the two were having.
"You had that vision again, didn't ya, Rouge-y…" he said in a tone one would not expect from a weasel. He seemed to truly be concerned about Rouge's welfare, and surprisingly, Sonic saw the two embrace, and Nack was trying to calm her down.
"Listen…you're not what you think you are…you're a great gal…and I won't let that happen to you…okay?" Rouge nodded. Sonic found this comforting. The weasel had not given a good impression at first, but it looked like all was well with him.
-- -- -- -- --
Knuckles and Eberon arrived at the Emerald Citadel when night fell. After going through the gate, both caught the scent of Vahtri's cookies. Eberon sniffed much more eagerly than Knuckles, for it brought back wonderful memories for him. Never in so long had he had those wonderful baked confections, but he mostly wanted to see his beloved daughter again.
The scent led both echidnas straight to Vahtri's dorm, which she seemed to be leaving, as she was bringing boxes out. Knuckles pulled Eberon back around behind a nearby building.
"Don't just waltz out there with me…" Knuckles said, slightly annoyed. "I wanna make this a surprise…for dramatic effect." Eberon huffed at this. He couldn't even see his own daughter without her boyfriend trying to put a show. It was both annoying…and endearing at the same time. Knuckles took a deep breath and went up to Vahtri, who noticed him and greeted him enthusiastically with a big hug.
"Knux! You came back! You don't know how happy this makes me!"
"If this made your day, then prepare to get even happier." Knuckles managed to pull himself out of his friend's grip and brought her over to where Eberon was. Vahtri didn't recognize her father at first, but the grey echidna's voice soon made her remember.
"You've grown so much, my little one."
"Daddy…y-you're back…"
"Ten long years…where has the time gone? I missed seeing you grow up." Mikael, meanwhile, had wandered outside to see this little event go on. He saw Vahtri and Eberon embrace, and he recognized the latter.
"Hey mister Vahtri's dad!" he yelled as he came over.
"Heh…it looks like you've been babysitting in the long term, eh, Vahtri?" Eberon said heartily. "Anyway, Knuckles and I were heading to Sylvania…"
"Sylvania? I've always wanted to go there! Count me in!" Vahtri cheered. "You're coming with me, right Mikael?"
"My grandma lives there! Didn't I tell you?" the little tyke replied. "She's reeeally important!"
"Oh, and what does your grandmother do?" Eberon asked.
"She's…uh…I'm not sure what she does, actually," Mikael answered, "but I know it's really important!"
"His grandmother is the high priestess of the Emerald Light," Knuckles said. "Tahra didn't tell you about that? Must be pretty exciting to have a friend who has a friend who…"
"We get the idea, Knuckles…" Vahtri groaned. "I guess I can't take all this stuff with me. How about you two spend the night here before we head out?"
-- -- -- -- -- --
Morning came as always. Not even the greatest forces of evil could stop the dawn, and Shadow was the second to awaken. He found Amy sitting back and watching the sunrise, with an oddly concerned expression on her face. Something was bothering her.
"Something wrong, Ames?" Shadow asked as he sat down next to her. Amy leaned on Shadow's shoulder instinctively. For all the time they had spent as a couple, both continued to relish this kind of contact, this kind of quiet time. The sensation of feeling Shadow's form seemed to comfort Amy, but her distress was still present.
"It's Sonic…he's really starting to worry me. He is our friend, after all."
"What about him? He seems like the same Sonic as always."
Amy shook her head. "No…he seems so different. I've never seen so much…hate in his eyes. I also overheard him mutter something about revenge on someone…he just called 'those bastards'."
Shadow chuckled. "Don't worry yourself. He was probably asleep when he said that."
"You were asleep…he was awake. I heard it all. Sonic was fuming over prejudice, hatred and racism…subjects I never knew he even bothered with."
"You know Sonic…he always fights for the greater good," Shadow replied with a rolling of his eyes. Amy was now getting annoyed. Was Shadow this dense? She restrained herself from slapping him, but now her tone was getting annoyed and she stood up.
"Shadow…can't you see that hatred is consuming Sonic whole! Well, maybe you don't, but I notice it all too well."
"Well, I suppose that's a cause for concern…should we tell Tahra about it?"
"I'm sure she would know," Amy replied. Her tone turned more like her happy self and she sat back down next to Shadow. "I've also been seeing how close they've gotten. It's like watching…" she then gave him a kiss on the cheek at this point, "…us!" Shadow smiled. There was silence afterward, as the two watched the sunrise together.
-- -- -- -- --
"Hey Espio…what's with the weird headband?" Charmy asked Espio when he noticed him wearing a weird headband, which was adorned with a metallic plate with the symbol of a sun with very pointy rays. "Where did you get it?"
"This is a special ninja headband," Espio said with a rare expression of pride. "I was to be awarded it when I graduated from my ninja training, but I left before I got the chance to receive it. It's the mark of a true ninja."
"Looks more like the mark of a true doofus to me!" Charmy jeered before receiving a smack on the back of the head by Vector, who was also looking at the headband.
"It looks good on ya, Espio!" Vector said with approval, although he too thought that the headband looks ridiculous on his chameleon friend. Vector, of course, was more tactful than the immature Charmy.
"It also helps me focus, and thus enhances my ninja abilities. For example…watch as I steal Nack's hat from right off his head without him noticing…" Espio used his Leaf Swirl to turn himself invisible and crept over to Nack, who was leaning up against a tree, polishing one of his smaller guns. Espio waited for the right moment before attempting to pluck the weasel's hat off. As he reached for it, Nack aimed the gun right at Espio's forehead, without even looking at him.
"Don't even think about it, ninja-boy," the weasel said coldly. Espio was surprised that Nack had noticed him, and wondered how as he turned visible again. Charmy snickered at Espio's embarrassing defeat, and again received a smack on the back of his noggin by Vector.
"What?" Charmy snapped. "It's funny!"
-- -- -- -- --
"There!" Zeipha said excitedly, pointing to a stone spire poking out of the forest below. Raiden and Ribik saw it too, and looked at it wide-eyed.
"Wow…the Great Obelisk of Sylvania!" Ribik exclaimed. The toad didn't speak much, but this awesome sight forced words out of his mouth. The spire was indeed an amazing piece of architecture, standing almost five hundred tall and fifty feet on all sides at its base. Although it could not be seen from this distance, the entire tower was carved with images that recorded most of the major events in the history of the world that concerned all the ancient races: hedgehogs, kitsune, chameleons, foxes and even crocodiles…a history that started fourteen thousand years in the past.
Tahra came over and stared at the spire as well. It was always a welcome sight to see that old tower in the distance. It was a comfort to see this massive structure still standing…it gave her a feeling of stability in her chaotic life.
Sonic whistled in amazement. "Wow…now that's a spire! I've never seen anything that tall outside of Station Square, or Westopolis for that matter!"
"Amazing…" Rouge gasped. Everyone else gawked at it as well. Sonic was the first to follow the path down the mountain. The final part of his journey was almost done…and he would finally see his father again. Not only that, he would finally be among his own kind. He was so eager, that he started to leave his group behind. Tails was the first to notice this, and started off after Sonic.
"Hey, Sonic…could you wait up!" the half-kitsune called to him, but the blue blur was already several miles ahead. Sonic suddenly stopped when he noticed something in the distance: marching across a wasteland that suddenly began many miles from Sylvania, probably ten miles away, was some sort of army. He had no idea of what it consisted of, but one thing was for sure…it was marching toward the great city, and that only meant trouble. Soon, Tahra, Tails, Amy and Shadow caught up with Sonic as they too saw this strange sight. Tahra quickly recognized the nature of the army, though.
"Hyenas…they're on the march. No doubt that a certain General Krynku is behind this."
"Never heard of the guy…" Sonic said frankly. "I doubt any of us have, save you."
"He's a monster, but very charismatic. This actually isn't the first time he's attacked Sylvania…but I've never seen an army this big." Before she could say anything else, Amy noticed something else…the sounds of battleships roaring in the distance.
"We need to hurry…these hyenas may only be one of Sylvania's problems. I think our old friend Doctor Eggman may be in cahoots with our enemies now."
Sonic perked his ears and nodded. "Yeah…I hear them too. Tails, can you head back and tell the others that we're going on ahead, and not to be worried." Tails nodded and started back the way he came, and the four hedgehogs continued down the mountain toward the great city.
-- -- -- -- --
"Well, here we are…the crown jewel of all hedgehog-dom…Sylvania," Tahra said with no disguise of her pride. Indeed, the three others were in sheer awe of this amazing city. It was like Westopolis in that it had great towers, but instead of being made of cold glass and steel, it was made of beautiful tan sandstone, and intricately carved with beautiful designs and awesome portrayals of tales and events.
What gave Sonic, Amy and Shadow the most comfort was the presence of members of their own kind in large numbers. The city was not overcrowded, but you could tell that it was a massive city. There were members of other races, as well, but hedgehogs dominated the racial landscape. Never had they seen so many hedgehogs in one place. Sonic quickly noticed that no one seemed to be paying much attention to them. If Tahra was so important, why did no one notice her? Sonic asked this very question to her.
"I haven't been here in three years. I doubt anyone will recognize me, especially in the outfit I have on. I better bring you to where my grandmother lives…I bet she'll be excited to see us."
"Lead on…you know the city better than any of us," Amy said. Tahra led the three onward, winding through the streets of Sylvania, pointing out important landmarks as they went. Soon enough, Tahra stopped at a simple, but well-made house with a red wooden door. She knocked on it and waited. A few seconds later, the raspy voice of an old lady answered.
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" the old resident called. The door opened about twenty seconds later to reveal a hunched-over old female hedgehog. She was hunched forward, and she walked with a gnarled staff. Despite her obvious handicap, her blue eyes sparkled much like Tahra's did, and her sight seemed to be perfectly fine. The hedgehog's fur was a dull indigo.
"And who might you be?" the old woman asked.
"Grandma…it's me, Tahra…you don't recognize me, do you?"
The old woman was suspicious. "You look like her…but that's not enough. There's one thing I'd like to ask. She suddenly changed languages to something called Terra-speak, which Tahra instantly recognized and responded in. The old woman nodded, and then started wagging her finger at Tahra.
"You've been around humans too much…you're dressing like some sort of demon worshipper! Get out of my sight!"
"Grandma…" Tahra said in a surprised tone before her grandmother started laughing.
"You were always gullible, Tahra…I'll love you no matter how you dress! Come and give your old grandma a hug! I haven't seen you in years!" Tahra rolled her eyes, and did so.
"I've never seen these three before…" the old priestess continued. "Are they your friends?"
"Who else would I bring to meet Ilseah, the High Priestess of the Emerald Light!"
"Come in then…this house is welcome to friends of my grandchild!"
-- -- -- -- --
"So you've retired from your duties, grandma?" Tahra said with surprise. "Why? You seem perfectly capable of continuing them."
Ilseah sighed. "Oh, dearest…I'm just getting too old for it…I'm nearly eighty now. I'm thinking about choosing my successor. But tell me, I didn't quite hear the names of your friends. Could you repeat them for me?"
"Shadow," the ebon hedgehog said.
"Amy Rose, but just Amy is fine."
"Sonic's the name, and don't forget it!"
"Would you believe that Sonic's my boyfriend?" Tahra said happily, hugging Sonic. The old woman seemed delighted to hear this.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you, my violet lovely!" Ilseah said gleefully, using one of her pet names for Tahra. "I never thought you could love another boy after you separated from Haishin!"
"Who's Haishin?" Sonic asked. "I bet he was a real jerk."
"Nah, he was a nice guy…" Tahra replied with an expression of honest nostalgia in her eye. "It was when Regal became his crony that I started not to like him. Regal spoiled everything."
"Speaking of Regal…have you heard from him, Tahra?" Ilseah asked. "He never writes to me at all! I wonder if he even cares about his grandma anymore."
"I doubt he does…" Tahra replied scornfully. "He only cared about himself. I did see him..."
"Oh…you went to the Emerald Citadel? Why so far?" It was at this point that the old priestess realized just who the other three were.
"Oh my…these three are the new wielders of the Sacred Arms! I knew I recognized those medallions!"
"Yeah…I'm the fourth, Grandma. That's the real reason we're here. Sonic here needs to get the final part. If we can get the Sacred Arms, we'll be able to fend off the incoming enemies. The hyenas are on the march from the east."
"We knew that…and Sylvania is prepared…but you four should get them all the same. From my visions, I judge that they'll arrive by the new moon, and will likely attack under cover of darkness."
"So, what do I have to do to get the last medallion piece?" Sonic asked. The old woman simply smiled, got up and left the room. A few minutes later she returned…with the final piece of Sonic's medallion, as well as another whole one. She handed it to him. Before Sonic could say anything, the old woman shook her head.
"The need for service is not needed, Sonic. The service you can best provide requires the use of the Sacred Arms." The priestess handed the second one to Tahra.
"Thank you, Ilseah…" Sonic replied. He attached the final medallion piece and pressed it to his right arm. In a flash, the Mark was gone. "Now, how do we get to the shrine when the Sacred Arms are?" The old woman pointed to the room from whence she came.
"Fit the medallions in the four circular slots. Your medallion goes on top, Shadow's on the left, Amy's on the right, and Tahra's on the bottom slot."
"Thanks, grandma," Tahra said and started toward the room, but the old woman stopped her. She pointed to a section of wall on the left side of the same room.
"The fourth of the Sacred Arms is behind that wall. Take it to the shrine, and its full strength will be realized. Akuma, your guardian spirit, left it by my bedside many years ago. It's yours now." Tahra did so, and gazed on the battle axe. Its handle was roughly eighteen inches long, and the head was at least three-quarters that size. One end of the axe-head was curved down, while the other was normal. It was unassuming now, but Tahra suspected it would look a lot cooler once it obtained its full strength.
After taking the axe, Tahra joined her friends, and placed her medallion in the bottom slot, and before the four knew it, they had changed locations…
-- -- -- -- --
The four hedgehogs appeared in a room that was very familiar to Sonic and Tahra…and standing in front of the altar was a familiar figure. The only difference was the presence of three weapons on the altar: a sword, a katana, and a war hammer.
The sword, Excalibur, was a sword of splendid quality. Its handle and hilt were made of a stunning bronze color, while the straight and keen blade was made of perfectly polished adamant. It had a few emeralds and rubies embedded in the hilt and pommel as well. The katana, Masamune, was also forgedof adamant, but its handle was wrapped in fine black leather, and the silver-plated blade seemed to glint like the stars. The hammer, Mjolnir, was, like the others, made with the same metal as the other two, and was the most intricate of the three arms. Its head was embossed with beautiful designs of incomprehensible nature.
"Welcome, Chosen. Two of you have met me already, but for formality, I'll introduce myself again. I am Akuma, guardian of the Sacred Arms. Three of you have earned the right through your actions, while one was destined by her bloodline. Three of you must face one last test before you may earn your respective weapons. Amy Rose…step forward and face your final trial!
Amy stepped forward nervously and waited. She saw another familiar face fade in…Yakujo's ghost, who was decked in G.U.N. uniform. Amy gasped.
"So, we meet again, sis."
"Yakujo…I have to fight you?"
"Don't worry…I'm already dead, remember? Besides, this is why I'm still around. My spirit is stuck here until you beat me."
"If I must defeat you to let you rest…then I will!" Amy said with determination. She gathered energy and assumed her Super form. Yakujo grinned and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Nice trick, Ames…but here's mine!" The spirit raised his arms, and instantly appeared in what appeared to be a standard issue G.U.N. Bigfoot. But that wasn't it. Mjolnir began to glow, and the ethereal robot grew a pair of arms, and then Mjolnir itself quintupled in size, and appeared in the robot's hand. Amy seemed dismayed by this, but remembered one of Master Khang's lessons involving the fact that the weapon does not make the warrior.
"Alright then, bro…give me all you've got…" Amy charged up further. "I won't hold anything back, you hear me?"
"I'd expect nothing less than my sister…the ultimate life form."
-- -- -- -- --
Me: Wow! Over 4,200 words! Hope you people managed to read all of that!
Sonic: These next few chapters are gonna be so sweet, eh, Tahra?
Tahra: Yeah. It's time to see what you and the others can really do. I have a few tricks of my own, but you'll see them later.
Amy: Man, I can't wait to start swinging Mjolnir!
Me: Tune in next chapter, as the trials of our heroes begin!
