Age of Darkness
Chapter III
That Blue Hedgehog
The bank was only a block away then. The bank was on a street behind a place called Casinopolis. I decided to cut through the casino to reach the bank. The casino was elaborate inside. There were slot machines and people galore, card tables, roulette wheels and the clinking of plastic chips as people placed bids. Several people stared at me, but I ignored everything until I saw a sight that I would cherish. A white sign was above two bathrooms and it boasted of something I needed. "Showers! Wash off here!" I smirked and ran to the showers, eager to wash myself off from the ashes and pavement grits in my fur.
The two doors were on opposite sides of a small alcove. The bathroom was lined with tiles, and one room had a row of seven sinks on one wall and a dozen toilets on the other. There are not very many guys in here, I concluded as I looked around. To the left of the sinks and toilets was a second room that had showers. I relieved myself and went over to the showers, which were behind a second door. The shower stalls had a shower and curtain, and a little side room with a bench, towel and washrag.
My fur stuck together and I could feel rough pebbles digging into my skin. No one is in here. I guess everyone showers here later. It is only eight. Taking off my shoes and filthy gloves, I plodded my furry feet into the shower. The tiles were cold, but they were soothing on my sore feet. I turned the dial and waited without interest. I never do like when a shower starts, because it is cold! The nozzle sputtered and drops of cold water spilled onto me and the tiles that surrounded my feet. My hairs bristled as I endured the chill, waiting for hot water to wash myself in. Warm water soon pelted my fur and I sighed while I reached for the washcloth and a bar of soap. I scrubbed my fur with soap. Flecks of asphalt and tar trickled onto the tile and I could feel my skin become more comfortable. That is much better. No more itchy fur for me! The water is slightly stinging my sore, I thought as I gingerly placed my hand to my cheek. My black fur was all filled with bubbles from soap, and I rinsed off. My gloves were next. I looked back at the stall later as I put my damp gloves back on and dried my fur with the towel. The towel was one of those skimpy pool towels that are rather thin and rough.
I was quick to leave the place and went over to the nearby bank. A device strapped to my wrist started to vibrate, so I looked at it. Robotnik gave me a Chaos radar he made himself. He spent time working on it. The device showed that the crystal was deep in a vault of the bank. I brought a second device with me, yet again designed by Robotnik. The device was capable of performing one Chaos Control jump. I was to use the jump to bypass the security of the bank and steal the desired crystal inside. My tricks worked, and I was out of the bank with the Crystal in a minute.
I had no clothes besides my shoes and gloves, so I made myself a little pocket to stuff my trinkets in on my thigh out of my fur. After all, how could one have seven Chaos Crystals and not show any of them? Hide them somewhere? But even then, how could they fit in a simple pocket made of fur? Do not ask me, I don't know. Designing the Sonic Adventure series was not my job! A police car cruised by me and my nerves tensed. What was the cop doing here? A tractor-trailer that was carrying a robot battle suit like the one I destroyed earlier followed the police. I watched them as they started it up and a man dressed in a jumpsuit and helmet climbed into it.
The sky above was getting darker by the minute, and the fading orange and pink clouds of the setting sun could be seen on the horizon between the numerous buildings several stories high. Soon enough, roadblocks were set up at the intersection, and I waited to see what would happen. Why are they blocking the road? Traffic was sent on a detour, so the roads were unusually empty. For a moment, I could hear a pin drop on the street because it was so calm. The robot suit stood up and turned to face a street that went up the hill. I heard something that caught my attention. I heard feet shuffling. Not only was somebody running, but whoever it was had incredible speed. Who that is running, could that person be as fast as... No. Nobody is nearly as fast as me! I held that thought in my head until I saw a blurry shape of blue dash down the hill. It passed the robot and swung around on a 'No U turn' sign and stopped about ten meters away from the battle machine. That is thirty two feet. That is as fast as me! I realized bitterly.
I watched to see the blue bullet and see what it was. The pilot spoke up on a loudspeaker. "Hedgehog! Return to GUN immediately" The pilot had authority in his voice. I was surprised to hear that name, and my mind filled with hatred. GUN? That damn military is still here? Why are they after this guy? The hedgehog was blue, and he had bright green eyes and a confident smile. He wore red shoes and white gloves. "Hey, big guy. Slow down! I do not know who you are talking about!" The hedgehog said back with a youthful voice. His eyebrow arched as he chuckled. He is about my age... "Surrender now or I will make you!" The pilot warned in anger. After the robot leapt into the air it fired a machine gun down at the blue hedgehog. The blue hedgehog evaded the machine gun's bullets with ease. The robot fired again, but the blue hedgehog waited for the robot to land and then smashed into the robot when it did. The pilot opened the crates on the robot's back and fired a salvo of missiles. Several small explosions erupted across the pavement, and the hedgehog had little trouble avoiding them. He jumped into the air, smashing against the robot, again. The robot fired its machine gun again, but he dashed forward and under it, causing the robot to hesitate as it tried to find him. I laughed quietly. "Hello? Behind you!" The blue hedgehog said as he waved his hand mockingly. The robot turned around to attack, but then the intruder smashed into it. I could hear glass crack, and the cockpit cover was damaged. Its frame was bent and the glass splintered, looking as if a spider spun a web on the windows. The hedgehog hit it again, and the pilot yelled in pain. The hedgehog was playing with it! It was not long before the battle was over. The robot crumbled to the ground. I wanted a closer look at this young intruder.
I jumped up on top of the robot after the pilot left and stood there, staring at him. He looked up at me with shock. "What!?" I lifted my new toy in the air and showed off its green luster. "This is a gem containing the ultimate power." The blue furry got angry. "That is the Chaos Emerald! I see now. Everyone else is mistaking me for the likes of you!" He pointed an accusing finger at me and I smirked, causing him to growl. He charged forward and jumped up to attack me. "Say something, you fake hedgehog!" I gripped the Emerald and whispered two words. I felt uneasy as the Emerald dropped me behind the blue devil. He stumbled as he landed, shocked to find he hit nothing but air. The blue one looked around to find me. "Whoa! He is fast!" I lowered my hand and kept the Emerald at my side. "Wait a minute, you are using that Emerald to warp," he realized. I stared at him with cold feelings. In a flash of green light, I was warped to the top of a three story building. He turned to me again, his green eyes had frustration in them as he glared at me.
I playfully tossed the Emerald into the air and caught it. "I am the world's ultimate life form." He growled again, apparently he heard me. I looked down at him with anger in my eyes. I tossed the Emerald into the air again. I did so as I spoke. "I have no time to play games with you. Farwell!" I vanished into thin air, leaving him and his stunned attitude behind...