Author's note: Yes, I have to write these segment summaries. I've written four already; there's no turning back now.
Segment 5: From Bat to Curse
Summary of Events
This particular excursion was a little more interesting than previous ones were. Let's see why.
It turns out that Rouge the Bat had stolen the map while Amy was looking at it! Amy joined Leo and Kim and headed down to Tails' lab to discuss the matter.
According to Tails, Rouge had fled to the Desert of King Frara, the location of another settlement. Since Amy was planning a sightseeing trip to the desert anyway, she requested that she join Leo and Kim on their trip.
Upon reaching the desert, the party of three visited a fortune-teller named Princess Mariko, who had a bloodline connected to the desert. When Amy criticized the fortune, Mariko put a curse on her, but it didn't take effect immediately.
Later, Leo, Kim, and Amy ran into Wave again. (Well, I guess the "again" only applies to Leo and Kim, but that's beside the point.) Luckily for the party, Wave had seen Rouge rushing into one pyramid in particular.
Around then, Mariko's curse took effect. Amy was panicked when she found that she was now a cat, but Mariko explained that the curse could be undone with a golden feather from King Frara's treasure stash- inside the same pyramid that Rouge had entered!
Leo, Kim, and Amy entered the pyramid in pursuit of Rouge and the feather. They found the treasure room, but Rouge had found it first, and not a single bit of treasure was left. However, there WAS another demon settlement entrance.
Inside the settlement, the party of three found a crowd of demons about to sacrifice Rouge to the flames. Leo came up with an excellent plan that saved Rouge and netted them the Black Emerald and a golden feather to boot, and then they made a rather narrow escape.
After that terrible experience, Rouge was more than willing to part with the map before making her getaway. Once Leo figured out how to undo the curse on Amy, they left the pyramid as well.
Princess Mariko was waiting outside, though she'd been burnt by one of her candelabras; serves her right for the curse! After hearing her "congratulations", Leo, Kim, and Amy returned to Emerald Town.
After accepting the Black Emerald, Tails- at Kim's request- told another one of his stories of his Fox Scout days. He explained how he and Drive frightened off a bulldog using a move called the Drive Hammer. Kim threatened to smack Leo if he tried it with her, though.
Tails also mentioned that Drive now lived in a cabin in the Keystone Mountains, which just happened to be the location of one of the demon settlements. (Funny how things work out that way.) So Leo and Kim agreed that that would be their next destination.
However, one has to wonder a few things. Just what will happen when all seven Black Emeralds have been found? And why did Tails turn out the lights again? It seems a little odd to turn out the lights at such a time.
D'oh! I've got to control myself! If I say too much, I'll spoil the story!