Your next installation of Babylon Bee has popped out of the oven! With the death of Sonic being a surprise to all, even myself. I wasn't even planning to have Sonic killed, but it proved to be a very good aspect to the story. This chapter will prove it.

--

Ch. 7: Master and Slave

Sonic the Hedgehog was dead. Amy screamed. Her shrill cry pierced through my heart as the stench of blood made my nose cringe. Rector tried to console her, but he knew nothing could be done. No one could help. Paramedics were sent, and they placed a blanket over his body. Cream burst into tears as did Tails. Knuckles covered his face with his large hand, attempting not to cry. Team Screw-Ups (Whip, Goby, and Dawg) had looks of utter shock on their face, but I could see that Dawg has some mixture of relief there. Jet bit his finger. It started to bleed.

The crowd was in uproar. Everyone was evacuating because of the death. The referees rushed over, asking for us to stay. When Wave asked Aikara how this happened, the monkey's ears drooped, and she shook her head.

"The fool," the black warrior said after the audience was gone and we were all that remained. He leaped from the roof and landed right in front of us. "He was a fool for crossing me. Thankfully, he was a quick and easy kill. Not so much fighting prowess for the so-called Fastest Thing Alive."

"Y-y-you?" Amy choked on her sobs. Her face was suddenly contorted with fury. She pulled out her hammer, screaming, "Monster! First Nack, now Sonic?"

Nack held his stomach, suddenly ill. "You bastard. You will pay for this."

The black warrior unsheathed his sword with lightning speed, nicking Tomo's arm. She groaned, holding her arm in pain. Without warning, he snatched me, muttering something that I could not hear. Storm tried to grab me, but was kicked in the face. He used his teloporting techniques, and we vanished.

The place we ended up was completely dark and barren. Tomo would be freaking out since she has nyctophobia, fear of the dark. My heart pounded in my throat. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. The black warrior's hands around me, strangling my body. I struggled to break free, but to no avail.

"Let me go!" I barked, trying to sting him. I managed to free my arm and yank out the red kunai knife Espio gave me and stabbed his shoulder. He released me, but he merely lapped at his own blood. "Who...are you?"

"Now, Charmy, you can't recognize after the South Island Institute burning? After all, I was the one that saved you from the flames." The black warrior pulled off his mask. First I saw the top head of a pinkish-purple chameleon, than a yellow horn, but what really hit me was his cold yellow eyes.

Espio.

I shrieked. I wanted to rush over and hug him, to tell him how muched I missed him. However, I remained frozen. What he did to Sonic was unforgivable, and I couldn't let myself be weak in front of the enemy.

"What's wrong?" Espio asked, looking like he did two years ago. "My, you actually look well. Having fine with your...illegal life?"

I smirked. "Hey, stealing is a good way of life."

"Is that so?" He sighed, shaking his head. "The master is going to be pleased that I brought you here."

"Espio, aren't you-"

"Dead?" His eyes turned stone cold. I nodded uneasily. Espio glared directly at me, but suddenly his voice cracked when he started to monologue about how much the Purgatory sucked. It was like he was going to start crying. Espio cry? Now there was a thought. He cleared his throat, and continued. "You see, I was brought back to life by my new master."

"Master?"

Espio unraveled the bandages on his arms. Smack-dab on his wrists were tattooed flames in a vibrant white. I blinked. Was he a member of some other Babylon Rogues? I didn't know there were other Rogues that weren't in our gang, besides Bean. Cocking my head to the side, I asked Espio to explain the flames.

Miserably, he cursed his predicament. "Well, when I died, a crow came-"

"Was his name Rodrigo?" I interjected, fear forming on my face.

"Yes, it is."

I screamed at the top of my lungs. What was Espio thinking? Did he sell his soul to that madbird? Wait, I thought I killed him! How was it possible for that crazy crow to still be alive? Hold it, unless he managed to-

Espio's body twitched, and he flopped over. His body lurched up, making Espio stand. Suddenly, the darkness eroded and I could see clearly. Rubbing my eyes from the sudden light, a sinister laugh echoed through the air. Flinching, my wings stood on end, as I realized the laugh came from Espio, but it wasn't his voice. I noticed that his eyes turned stone black and his mouth was curved into a grin.

Cracking his neck rather loudly, a pleasured sigh escaped his lips. Steam suddenly came from his mouth. I stepped back a few steps, suddenly scared. More cackles came from him. Something told me that Espio wasn't well.

"Charmy..." His voice changed. "See, when you...killed me, I used the power of the Arks of the Cosmos to channel my soul into the one Jet has, but I left a while ago because it grew too...claustrophobic. Then, I met your former comrade Espio in the Purgatory. Lovely follow, but his pride matches mine. You remember me, boy? Remember how I killed Tomo and Vector? Now I'm using Espio as my new hoste. I let him out when I need him. I'm the only thing keeping him to this world."

I gasped. My mouth quivered as I uttered his heinious, "Rodrigo the Crow..."

Rodrigo smirked. "Glad you recalled. Two years of peace for you, boy with those Babylon Rogues. My descendent, Wave, how is she?"

"She's doing great without you breathing down her neck!"

After the battle with Rodrigo, we researched more on the Babylonian history and discovered that Rodrigo was related to Wave. Wave was in a coma for two days; Jet was screaming and fell off the airship; Kiba filmed it, putting it on the Internet for everyone to see.

I yawned, aggrivating him. "So, how are things?"

"Fine, fine. This body is completely perfect. Excellent speed, pysical prowess-"

"You pedophile!"

"What!?"

"You are a pedo! You invaded Espio's body, you SOB!"

Rodrigo crossed Espio's arms. Suddenly, he turned invisable. I gasped, looking around. I couldn't detect him, but I recalled Espio's weakness: if there was any distraction, Espio's would reappear. I started to fly around in circles, crying out something about sugar. An erk was heard and Rodrigo re-appeared, covering his ears in disgust.

Growling, he swatted me away, but missed. Rodrigo glanced around, and he snapped his fingers. The darkness came back and I froze. I could hear barking from behind me, but than a light illuminated from behind. I did look, but I soon wished I hadn't: South Island Institute. It was on fire, and I was being propelled out. The light suddenly zoomed into the window where I was thrown out. There was Vector, getting a stick on dynamite in his large snout, and it blew him up.

I screamed, collapsing to the ground. I smashed my fists into the ground, starting to cry. So that's how he died. My poor Vector, my poor boss. My poor father. I choked back a sob, glaring at Rodrigo.

"Damn you, crow. Damn you!" I shouted, lashing at him. "I'll kill you again! And again! Until you stay dead!" I started to sting at him, but using Espio's skillful dodging, he gracefully leaped over me.

Rodrigo smirked, uncoiling Espio's tail in a straight, yet pointed one. "You think you can kill me in this puny form? Hah! What a laugh. You only beat me because you were Super, and I was weak because I fought Super Sonic and Galaxy Jet!"

I snatched out the kunai Espio gave to me and struck at him, but he parried with his own knife. We slashed at each other for what seemed like an eternity, but because he was using Espio's body, I could scratch him. Espio was still one of my best friends even if he sold his soul to a devil. He backfisted me, making me knock my knife away. I grunted, flying backwards. I couldn't lunge for my knife. If I did, he'd probably stab me. I decided to make casual converstion.

"What's your big plan this time? Use the Arks? Last time, that wasn't such a good idea, huh?" I snickered, watching his face etch with anger.

Rodrigo suddenly grinned, his teeth gleamed white. "I plan to turn Mobius into the next Babylon."

"What!"

"I'll turn this world into my flying fortress, a spaceship! I'll return to Babylon, and I will conquer it!"

I growled, "How? Just you and Espio?"

"Actually..." He waved his finger at me. "I plan on using the World Grand Prix kids."

"Is that why you had Durza and Stream join you?"

Rodrigo spat. The crow-inside-the-chamelon sniggered when hearing their names. "I only had those two because I promised Stream I'd find her brother, which I did." However, when he got to Durza, I saw his features glow. "And for Durza, the second-in-command of his supposed "wolf pack", I paid the leader Scar for the greatest fighters..."

"Durza and Rojok."

"Correct. Rojok, apparantly, already entered himself, but when it turned out to be a team collaboration, Durza pushed himself to be Espio's partner. He knew Espio before the Chaotix days, asking Rojok to rekindle their friendship. Reluctantly, Rojok accepted."

"Heh, brothers got to stick together."

Rodrigo frowned, and he suddenly vanished. It wasn't invisability since he didn't use a handsign. He was just gone. I couldn't hear anything else, but that light behind me vanished. I felt my heart sink when I heard more cackling, but than a groan. Rodrigo's voice came from the dark, but was gone later. A new voice entered, Espio's.

"Charmy," he groaned, holding his head in pain, "what happened to me?"

I rubbed the forming bruise on my cheek. "Rodrigo took over your body, stupid! How could you make such a deal with the person who murdered you?"

Espio looked at the ground, despair in his eyes. "I didn't kill, Sonic. Rodrigo took over my body, and he did it. Charmy, believe me!"

Shaking my head with disgrace, I sighed. "Espio, my friend, how can I trust you anymore? You made a deal with a crazy dude! He wants to turn this world into a spaceship, and use it to conquer Babylon!"

His mouth was open, but nothing came out. He looked and the crowd, suddenly bowing his head. He got on his hands and knees, apologizing.

"Break free of him, Espy! You can do it!" I jeered, kneeling next to him.

Espio yanked me into a hug, and he burst into tears. I started crying as well. I buried my face onto his shoulder. This was the Espio that I loved...as a brother, you sick yaoi fans!

(Charmy: Kiba! Kiba: What? I like yaoi! from the distance, we can hear Babylon Sky Hawk over his trusty trash can Charmy: Stay with JetStorm, not Charmpio! Espio: Sweet God, have mercy on me.)

Anyway, Espio wiped his tears on his wrist before drying mine. I smiled at him, cheerfully. I sat on his lap, asking what the Purgatory was like. Espio smirked, sticking his tongue out at me and saying he lied about the Purgatory sucking. I whined, demanding that he tell me, but he kept his lips sealed.

"Espio, is there a Heaven or a God up there?" I asked, cocking my head to the side. Vector was an avid Christian. That's why he and I went to Angel Island: to repent for the Goldhive Colony's destruction from Eggman.

Espio paused, not answering. "I'll leave that to you to ponder upon."

"Espio!"

"No, Charmy."

"No chan?"

Espio cocked his head at me, confused.

"Charmy-chan. You aren't calling me that no mores?"

Espio rolled his sunshine eyes. "You're growing up Charmy, and since I've known you for so long, I believe we can just restart from the last time we've spoke."

"Espio, did you stab Nack? Please tell me that was Rodrigo!"

He shook his head.

I flew away from him in utter disgust. How could he? Revenge of some sort? I thought he didn't change, but then I remembered that he tried to kill Eggman before while we were just about to fight Hyper Metal Sonic.

Espio appeared in front of me, grasping onto my shoulders. I snarled at him, but than my eyes softened when Espio apologized. I guess I could always let someone say they're sorry and get one with life. The only time I never forgive someone was when Eggman forgot to pay us money for saving him! That slimeball, as Vector said!

"Charmy, I am so sorry. Tell Nack-san...no brother, that I am sorry," Espio whispered, holding me close. The chameleon sighed deeply. "I must meditate. Charmy, join me, will you."

Snorting, I crossed my eyes and looked skeptcal. "Me? Sit still, crossing my legs like a pretzel? Do you know me?"

"Obviously, you obnoxious squirt." Espio slumed down on his bottom. Crossing his legs, he closed his eyes. He softly hummed to himself. Appearing like an angel was Espio. His hands were clasped together in the Tora sign.

I blinked at him. Cocking my head to the side, Espio peeked out at me. He patted the spot next to him. Cautiously, I sat and tried to place my legs over each other. Failed miserably. I asked him if I could sat regulary; he just nodded in a trance.

I made the Tora sign, humming along with Espio. I glanced around, but Espio smacked me when I opened my eyes. He told that remaining calm and serene would be the key to achieving total strength. I frowned, but ultimately agreed when I noticed Espio was glaring at me.

We sat like that for what seemed to be forever. During that period of time, I actually was quiet. I know, surprise surprise. However, I did feel at ease with Espio. Once you get the hang of it, meditating is actually enjoyable. There were no noises besides Espio's and mine rythme of humming. I smiled, when Espio started to stand.

"Do you feel well, Charmy?" he asked, offering me his hand.

Gratefully, I accepted his gesture and flew up. I shook for a second to get my blood re-circulating. I smirked at him. "Yep! Meditating is kinda fun when you get used to it."

"I am proud of you. Seems that you truly have grown...slightly."

"Hey! I grew! Three inches!"

Espio laughed. "Whoo, and you think you're a big boy?"

"Am too!"

The chameleon smiled, but suddenly, something that sounded like a ding came off. Rodrigo appeared and he gestured for Espio follow. Rodrigo vanished into the darkness, leaving me with Espio. What if this was the last time I would ever see him?

"No!" I shouted, clinging onto his waist. "D-don't go, Espio. I need you with me. Tomo misses you, as does Mighty and Ray."

Espio's eyes watered, but his ninja honor made him refuse to shed any tears. He wrapped his arms around my tiny frame. "Charmy, I'm...sorry." He smacked my neck, causing me to go limp. I looked up at him, uttering his name as tears tried to have a jailbreak from me. Everything went black.

I woke up. I was in some hospital. I sat up, checking my surrondings. No one was with me, except for a pair of wings: Raine. Gasping, I pointed at her. The butterfly blinked at me, backing up in surprise. Raine smiled sweetly.

"How are you?" she asked, completely oblivious to what hell I just been through.

"Fine, and you?" I replied.

"Good, good." Her eyes gazed over on me. "When the black warrior-"

"Espio," I blurted. "He was my old friend, whose supposedly 'dead', Espio." Without thought of whatsoever, I told Raine everything. Espio, Rodrigo, the wicked crow's plan, the meditating, the fight. Everything. I just couldn't stop myself. It was like euphoria overwhelmed me.

Raine froze, suddenly wide-eyed and uncomfortable. She sat down on the bed, and she just...hugged me. I was just about to react like I hit Espio, but I just froze in her embrace. I smiled, finally feeling...happy.

At the precise moment, everyone just barged in, and Raine blurted out Rodrigo's plan. Slapping myself in the forehead, I muttered some profanities. The Babylon Rogues just looked over at each other, before Jet stared down at me.

I sighed. "Must I explain everything again? I wanna sleep."

Storm picked me up, slinging me over his shoulder. "We'll be back for Sonic's funeral next week."

--

Next: Planning Stages