Hey guys! Sorry, I've been a little busy with homework and schoo;, but now I'm on holidays! :D

Anyway, I'm back with another chapter of the Mystery among the Corridors! Action is coming up, so GET READY! Spiker now lives in the same hotel building Apple lives in.

Chapter 7: Skill training

On a sunny morning, Spiker was getting ready to go to Benny's house for the week end. He put on dark blue jeans, a light blue t-shirt and a short sleve black vest. He then got out of his hotel room and went one floor lower, where Apple's room was. He went down the stairs and knocked on Apple's door.

"Who is it?" she asked from inside.

"It's Spiker." he replied. "You ready to go?"

"Yep! Just a sec'!" as she opened the door. She was wearing her usual dark green strapless ripped shirt which ends at her belly button, with sleeves on her forearms. She was also wearing her black ripped shorts and was bere feet. She also had her gold belt with her magic green orb on it that controls her power, as well as one on her chest. "Alright let's go!" she said.

And they were on their way to the forset, where Benny the hedgehog's cabin was. They walked through the whole city, then got to the forest. When they arrived, Spiker took Apple in his arms, and ran as fast as possible to reach Benny's cabbin. He was running so fast Apple had to hold close on Spiker to not fall. Spiker was blushing a little, but he held her tight and continued running. They arrived and Spiker quickly stopped and put Apple down.

"That was quick!" said Apple. Spiker smiled back. They both went to Benny's door and knocked at it. Benny opened the door, greeted them, and the cherry fox and the dark red spike head came in. "So what's today's adventuring?" Apple asked.

"Let's see..." Benny started, "Today, we'll be doing some BIG rock climbing and we'll be training our new skills."

"Sounds like a lot of fun to me." cheered Spiker, "You do this every day?"

"Yep. All day long, I go adventuring in the forest and in the mountains."

"Then what are we waiting for?" said Apple, "Let's go!"

All three of them went walking in the forest to reach the mountain. Later, they were facing a huge mountain with snow on the top, so high it looked like Mount Everest.

"Benny...why do you always chose the highest mountains?" asked Apple.

"Because!" started Benny, "I love climbing! It's one of my big passions." he said in a courageous tone. But Spiker just smirked at him. "What's so funny?"

"You wanted to challenge me, right? Maybe this is the time to show who's the strongest." said Spiker.

"Oh yeah? Well I'll beat you on this one! No one is better climber than me!" he said bravely.

"Do you guys really have to do this?" asked Apple annoyed.

"Yes! I want to show this guy who's the strongest! And..." Benny was interupted by Apple.

"If you wanted to fight him you would lose in less than a minute." teased Apple.

"It's alright." said Spiker, "We'll just all climb together. I can wait for the challenge."

Benny grumbled, "Alright." Apple giggled. They went to the mountain and all started what seemed like an impossible climb.

Benny was jumping on different supports to get higher. Apple, who was a good climber, climbed the mountain very easily. And Spiker tried doing like Benny and Apple, but he was having trouble. Benny and Apple were already pretty high. Then, an idea popped in Spiker's mind. He punched in the rock to get supports and be able to climb fast. He punshed more each time he got a little higher, and he cought up with Benny and Apple, who looked amazed at the speed of his climbing. Spiker reached a flat part of the mountain to stop. Apple and Benny caught up with him.

"How did you learn to climb like that?" asked Benny astonished.

"I observed how Knuckles climbed in the forest, so I tried his way." Spiker replied.

"Maybe but it looked like you knew how to climb rocks for years!" said Apple, "How long have you been climbing?"

"I never did. This was my first real try." Spiker replied. Benny and Apple were looking at Spiker astonished.

"Anyway, it was incredible how you climbed!" Apple complimented.

After they rested, they got down the mountain and walked deeper into the forest. They were now going to practice their new fighting techniques and powers in case Dr. Eggman came to attack the city. Spiker and Benny were the first ones to fight.

"You want to start?" asked Spiker.

"Let's rock!" said Benny.

Benny's power was electricity. He could make huge lightning bolts miles away and hit about anything he wanted. Once on a very warm day, he created a storm and it rained for a week. He charged his arms with electricity and shot out a lightning bolt on a tree next to Spiker. Spiker looked amazed. "So this is his power" he thought.

"You want to try and resist one of those shots?" Benny said.

"Hit me with your best shot." Spiker replied.

Benny charged up for another lightning shot. But this time, he created a lightning sphere and was ready to shoot. Spiker was on guard, preparing to recieve the sphere. A couple of seconds later, Benny threw his sphere at Spiker. Spiker held his hands out to stop the sphere. He closed his eyes, waiting to get shocked by the electricity. But nothing happened. He opened his eyes and saw he was holding the electricity trio looked amazed at what Spiker did. He finally discovered his new power: absorption. A few minutes later after figuring out how to use his power, he did a few tests with Benny and it worked on all of them. After that, Apple was next to try her new skills.

'

"I usualy don't attack girls. But as long as we don't hurt each other..." said Spiker.

"Don't worry, I can defend myself!" Apple reassured Spiker. "If you want, I'll attack first."

"Go ahead."

Apple then made a fire ball appear in her hands, she then threw it towards Spiker. Spiker ran on the side to avoid getting hit and the fire ball hit the ground with a big flame explosion. Spiker looked at Apple with amazement.

"Incredible powers you have there!" Spiker complimented. "Now it's my turn."

Spiker jumped up in the air, using his absorption power to absorb the flames Apple created, rolled up into a spike ball and spin dashed down on the ground, making an earthquake with exploding flammes. Apple and Benny tried to not get hit by the flames. Fortunately, no one was hurt or anything.

"Impressive." said Apple, "Here's another blow!"

Apple made more fire balls and this time, she ran directly to Spiker. He didn't move. He stood where he was, waiting for the attack to come. Apple was about to hit Spiker in the stomach, but he stopped her by catching her hands and stop her attack. Spiker's hands were burning since Apple's hands had fire balls in them. But Spiker tripped backwards still holding Apple's hands, so they both fell onto each other. They were both looking into each other's eyes, both blushing. Apple got straight up.

"Oh, s-sorry about that."

"It-it's alright." Spiker said still blushing.

But something attracted Benny and Apple's attention to Spiker: his hands. His glove was all burned and they could see what his hand was like. His hand was red like the rest of his body, and his spikes coming out of his knuckles were silver. Then Apple said:

"Were you born with these claws?" she asked.

Spiker hesitated a bit. "No. I-I can't really explain. It happened such a long time ago."

"What do you mean?" Benny asked.

"It didn't happen by itself I mean." he hesitated a moments again. "I just can't tell you like that."

"I'm sure there's an explanation." Apple replied.

"Unless you want me to explain it for you." said a familiar evil voice.

The trio turnned around and saw Dr. Eggman flying in his little shuttle with an evil smile. "If you can't, then I could."

"What are you doing here!" shouted Benny, running to Eggman's shuttle charging up with lightning. He jumped and sent lightning disks towards Eggman's shuttle, cutting it up into pieces. Eggman fell on his head and had a round bump on the top of his head.

"Benny!" Spiker called from behind. Benny looked back. "Let him say what he has to say. I need to know the truth." He walked towards Eggman. "Then tell me, what is it you have to say about my past?"

Eggman took his time to get up. He then looked with his usual smile at Spiker. "It's especially about what happened to your parents."

Spiker looked amazed. "My parents? Where are they? Are they alright! Answer me!" he shouted. Eggman put his hand on his face, giggling. "What's so funny!"

"The truth is..." Dr. Eggman started.

Apple, Benny and especially Spiker were looking firmly at Eggman, waiting for the revelation.

"I'm the one who killed them."

Well, that's it for now! :) Revelations coming up next chapter!

Sorry I haven't been posting latelly.