Ch.4-The light of the emerald

Sonic felt his heart beat and his legs seemed to have the same good feel of running. He was flying through a tunnel of light and as he flew he caught images of Amy, Chris, Tails, Big, Knuckles, Chuck, Mr. Tanaka, Ella, Eggman, Cream and Cheese, a mysterious princess, and Shadow the hedgehog. All were part of his life, a life for this matter that was undecided.

"Welcome Sonic the hedgehog! I am Mizu, the great racer of light. You have proven yourself worthy to compete against me, in exchange I will let you live." Feeling the soft dirt Sonic stared into the yellow eyes of Mizu. He was tall and muscular and his forehead held the symbol of the Pale emerald. "The racetrack is made up of wires and tunnels, if you choose a tunnel there will be no speed. However, if you choose the wires, beware speed.

"In the years before I challenged the fastest, all wanted a prize that went with royalty. If you are as I've seen, this race may prove…exciting." Sonic walked up to the starting line and beheld a city of colorful wires and dark tunnels. The wires were bulky, but they thinned as they neared a gate.

"So if I win I get to live, but if I fail…" The green stop watch once again materialized around is neck, still counting. The light above started green, then blue, and once it hit yellow, Sonic ran. Mizu was right behind him causing the wire to shake. Sonic curled into a ball and left Mizu behind as he jumped over a gap. As he went around to the next loop Mizu cut in front of him. He left a trail of gold in Sonic's wake and tore away. The counter was at 21 minutes and already Mizu had the lead. As much as he hated walking, he jumped onto the track leading to darkness.

"Time is against you hedgehog," a familiar voice said. "Mizu is on his final lap and you still need to finish your 1st, but after our talk I have taken a light heart. Your fear of water is quite clear, use it to your advantage and remember what I told you." A steady stream was ahead and Sonic hit the brakes. He held his heart as it doubled in beats and his eyes…they stared at the coursing water.

"Hedgehogs can't swim, but I can't walk all the way to the finish line," Sonic said with dread. Spreading his arms out he plunged headfirst and felt water spill over his head. He curled himself into a ball and went with the current and as time passed his thoughts went to Amy. What he never realized was that the stopwatch had frozen on 10 seconds. Breathing in air he opened his eyes and realized he was at the finish line. Crawling forward he collapsed past finish.

"You…beat me? How is that possible?" Picking Sonic up he felt the wetness of his quills, hedgehogs couldn't survive water; this one did. "You win, the prize is life and my failure to beat you…is your choice of punishment." The hedgehog thought and while he did Mizu waited impatiently.

"Never again will you challenge anyone to this race; leave and rest with the other emeralds." Sonic got up beyond his doubts and faced the one known as Mizu. Explosions erupted in the city and wires snapped in half. The tunnels broke and water poured down in bucket loads. Mizu stared at this with sadness in his yellow eyes and Sonic too felt sad, but he had his own life to live now. Running at the speed of sound he broke through the barrier and into the light. Blinking his eyes he could see a ceiling…and relieved faces.

"Hey everyone Sonic's back!" Sonic was hugged by Chris and everyone else stood back with tears in their eyes. Sonic patted Chris on the back and his human friend let go respectfully. Sonic told his tale of his trip to Eggman's factory and the room with an invisible enemy. How he managed to get to the water and float all the way into the dark forest. He then told how he was in death's lair and how slow things were down there. What surprised everyone was the lost city of emeralds and the racer known as Mizu. Thing was what Mr. Tanaka said confused Sonic even more:

"Mizu was a warrior in the time of the emeralds and at the end of his career challenged the greatest racers to a race. What you just witnessed Sonic was Mizu in the past; his spirit could not be put to rest until someone beat him. If Eggman had seized the emerald it would be different. How do you feel now Sonic?"

"Hungry for some chilidogs," he said with a grin. His friends laughed and he too shared in their laughter. The following evening, while his friends watched the news, Sonic sat by the pool with his feet in the pool. I still fear the water, Sonic thought, but it was facing that fear that won the race. This place was still new, but his other life was gone, lost in a blur of light. If the stranger he met was death, why hadn't he done away with him? Sitting beside him wearing a pink outfit was Amy. Sonic turned away.

"You know Sonic today I…thought I'd lose you," Amy said softly. She put her gloved hands through her pink hair and it was this that brought Sonic to face her. After all the dangers they both went through, after all the fun and games, maybe it was time to ask the question. His ongoing battle with the Dr.Eggman had his schedule booked; still it would be nice…

"You'll never lose me," Sonic said with a smile. His gloved hand held hers and he stared into her eyes. "I know you've been sending me signals, and lately it seems I've been…ignoring them, but I wasn't. After what death said, I knew, maybe always, that someone close to me had…a big crush on me." Amy blushed and Sonic gently pushed his hand through her pink hair. "I'm 16 and we're both old enough to…" He opened his mouth, but this subject seemed to stay inside.

"Sonic though I'm only 12 my love for you is as pure as an undying flame, so of course I'll be your girlfriend!" Amy gave Sonic a big kiss and began to dance. Sonic watched from the ground and then closed his eyes. Being a hero was tiring, and he now had a bigger adventure in the world, boyfriend.

In the dark parking garage downtown stood a hedgehog of pure evil. He never stayed in one part for long and if he by chance did, it was only to dispose of those who saw him. In fact he was a bit too slow of getting rid of the echidna, who may have recognized his features. The hedgehog called Sonic had survived the death emerald and so did Chuck Thorndyke. It was supposed to be a deadly heart attack, but due to the clumsiness of some robots it only set off a mild stroke. His plans were messed up and once that echidna left the hospital his identity would be blown. Tomorrow he'll strike, and this time anyone in his way, won't see him.

Chris Thorndyke walked down the white corridors of the hospital a little afraid. In Chuck Thorndyke's room were his mom and dad, both seemed relieved he was ok. Chris ran up to his grandpa and hugged him tightly. He returned it strongly and the fire in his eyes still glowed with fighting spirit. His dad ruffled his hair and Chris knocked his hand away playfully. "My family, I'm so glad I'm not dead yet," Chuck said with a chuckle. "That stroke made me think; maybe I should spend more time with you guys instead of creating fools of machines. Chris needs us all, for better or worse. I don't know how long this old heart will beat, so I want to live life to its fullest potential. So I've decided to move in with you guys."

"Well…if it will make us a family, why not," Chris's father said with a shrug. His mom smiled and the warmth in the room made Chris feel light. Leaving the room he made his way next door where a wounded Knuckles was being helped to his feet. Tails slowly lowered him to the ground.

"Well, what I'd miss?" Tails filled him in on Sonic's condition and the Pale emerald and Mizu. Knuckles was awed by it, and yet he was still uneasy. As if…

"I came to finish the job," a voice said. Chris was pushed into the table and Tails was sent into the window. Knuckles held his ground but had to blink several times to get a picture of his assailant. He was a dark and very violent hedgehog, he looked like Sonic. Just then a very fast blue blob crashed into the hedgehog. The two flew out of the building and onto a building roof. "So, you are Sonic!"

"Pretty good Shadow; but I advise you leave the fights to us." Shadow popped his knuckles and jabbed at Sonic, who ducked under the jabs and kicked out at him. Shadow turned to face Sonic and his evil smile began to spread. "What Shadow, afraid I'll hurt you?"

"No, but others will." At that he sped off the building and Sonic felt his stomach drop. He could warn the others, but knowing it was his battle he sped after Shadow.

TO BE

CONTINUED

What did Shadow mean by others will be hurt?

Will Eggman have his revenge?

Will Sonic's relationship with Amy last?

All that and more

NEXT TIME!

Authors note: Well this about does it for me here, keep a look out for the sequel. The sequel is already here, but I'll be doing some editing so you readers don't have to endure the single spaced annoying type. Thanks for the reviews, and see you next time.