Author's note: I just got shot down by Strafer, big time, so I'm a little depressed right now. Ugh, right when I think I've finally pleased him, I get criticized again. But why should I quit writing on a technicality?
Segment 5: From Bat to Curse
Chapter 6: 4th Black Emerald
(Leo)
Amy led the way as the three of us exited the pyramid. She seemed very happy now that she was her old self again. Of course, who wouldn't be?
Wave had already gone, but Princess Mariko was waiting for us outside the pyramid. Her clothes were burnt, her fur was singed, and she looked terrible; it looked as if she had just wrestled with a bonfire. For a brief moment, there was nothing but silence. Kim and I glanced at each other; had the events in the demon settlement affected this world?
Mariko spoke first. "I see the three of you figured out how to undo the curse," she said.
"Yeah," Kim replied. "But I, for one, expected something a little more dramatic." Mariko didn't respond.
I quickly changed the subject. "Say, what happened to you, Princess? You look awful."
The fortune-teller sighed. "I was lighting the candelabras in my tent, and I got a little too close. I'm lucky my tent was fireproof."
"Serves you right for cursing me," Amy interjected. Mariko tried to punch her for that one, but Kim intervened.
"We should be getting back to Emerald Town," Kim decided. "Come on, let's go."
As we approached Tails' lab, I noticed that the lights were off again, but Tails hurriedly turned them on when he saw us approaching. "I guess the three of you got the Black Emerald," he began.
I held up the Black Emerald. "You bet we did, but it wasn't easy."
The three of us told Tails the whole story. Tails laughed a little when we told him about the curse Mariko had put on Amy, but he winced when he heard about D-Mariko falling into the fire.
"If you ask me," Amy finished, "that experience was terrible! I am not going into another one of those demon settlements! Not even if Sonic was in there! …Well, maybe if Sonic was in there."
Tails smiled as he snatched the Black Emerald from my hand. "Well, that's four. Only three are left. Keep up the good work. Whether or not the demons prevail depends a great deal on whether you can get the remaining Black Emeralds."
This was a slightly unusual way of phrasing this statement, but I just shrugged it off. "By the way, Tails," Kim asked, "I'd like to know a little more about your time as a Fox Scout. What was it like, being partnered with Drive?"
At this question, Tails hesitated a little. "Well, there was this one time when Drive and I were selling Fox Scout cookies. The Fox Scouts emphasized teamwork; I had to do just about everything with Drive. Anyway, there was this one house that was protected by a fierce bulldog that we couldn't get past, no matter what we tried."
"Did Drive have another one of his brainstorms?" I suggested.
"You guessed it," Tails explained. "First off, I stood up on his shoulders, since I was younger. Then, he grabbed my ankles and swung me forward, as if swinging a hammer. At the same time, I brought my fists down, slamming a garbage can lid that'd been carelessly left on the ground with considerable force."
"That must've been loud," Amy commented.
"It was. And the bulldog relented for just long enough for us to slip by and give our sales pitch at the door. Drive later gave the mood a name, the 'Drive Hammer'. I didn't object to the name."
As if reading my mind, Kim suddenly lashed out at me with a quick comment. "If you try that Drive Hammer move with me, Leo, I'll smack you."
Amy stepped forward. "Where does Drive live now, Tails? Do you know?"
Tails nodded. "He lives in a cabin in the Keystone Mountains. There's a picture of a car on the door. You can't miss it."
Kim was already looking at our map. "Aha! Now isn't that a coincidence. There's a settlement mark over in the Keystone Mountains. It's funny how, whenever we intend to go somewhere, it always turns out to be the location of one of the demon settlements."
"I guess fate is on your side for your quest," Tails commented. We weren't sure whether he was joking or not.
"So it's settled," I decided. "Tomorrow morning, we strike out for the Keystone Mountains. It's getting a little late today, so we'll go eat some dinner and then turn in."
Amy agreed. "Leo, Kim, the two of you have done enough for one day. Come on. Let's go eat at the diner. My treat."
"You three go," Tails suggested. "I'd better stay here and guard the Emeralds."
That sounded good, so the three of us left the lab and headed for the diner.
END OF SEGMENT
I've got nothing to say here. Sorry.