PoC: In regards to current events: PenFulleofChaos819 makes no attempt to violate Sega's copyright-protected characters! Censoring my story for infringement would be silly, as I claim no ownership.
Silver: Ah…quit worrying! Let's just forget all that and play truth or dare!
Metal: Fool, he's trying to keep his story up and running. Besides, what sort of man would suggest THAT game?
Silver: I wasn't talking to you, rust 'n' easy! And for your information, I'm not a man!
PoC: *Spits drink all over keyboard*
Metal: Oh no? Well that certainly explains…a lot.
Silver: ? Huh? What's that supposed to…? WAIDDAMINUTE! You took that all wrong!
Metal: No, no Silver, please… Enlighten us with the "truth" of your non-masculinity.
Silver: DUMMY! I'M A HEDGEHOG! MEANING I DON'T HAVE ANY "MAN" PARTS ON ME!
PoC: Oh Silver, Silver…*Shakes head in shame*
Metal: Expertly stated sir. You've just made many fan-girls quite happy.
Silver: Big jerks, the both of you…
PoC: Aw… Don't be like that Silv. It IS now Metal's turn after all…
Metal: Hahaha! Oh, but you're too late! The chapter's starting!
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Mission Start
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Midday had come by the time the six-person team made its way out of the house. Between the featureless scenery of the thinly grassed hilltop and the hanging silence in the elevated, ear popping air, it was hard to believe they were so close to the mission's end. The anticlimactic feeling of this place was unfitting of the heavy emotions stirring inside each hero's heart. Though not as intense, Vector and his compatriots still walked with rigid steps and wore exceptionally stiff expressions (even Charmy himself was unnervingly blank-faced).
While packing up and setting out supplies, Sonic stole a glance or two at everyone in sight. He wanted to know what gloomy thoughts had struck the entire team mute, mostly because it ate him up to see the crew like this. But as much as he wanted to see high spirits, Sonic was unable to find the confidence to speak, an unsettling rarity for him. That's why he felt it okay to allow the frowning this time; today just didn't seem like a good day to smile.
"Sonic? What's wrong?"
The hero gasped softly at the sudden question. He was so busy thinking he'd totally blitzed who had spoken to him. Getting his head screwed on properly, the blur digested the sentence and figured Tails must've addressed him. No big shock there. This Tails had been increasingly worried, almost paranoid (just like Espio had mentioned), about him lately, to the point of being annoying. Deciding he shouldn't ignore his best friend for his overprotective-streak, Sonic tilted his head in the voice's direction and said "Nothing, Tails. I'm just a little tired I guess, why?"
"More like exhausted if you ask me, cuz last I checked my name's not Tails." The person half-choked out, as if suppressing laughter. Hearing the voice again tinted his cheeks a faint crimson. Unless Tails had undergone a sex-change in the last twenty or so minutes, that voice clearly belonged to the only female in their group. He turned around then to apologize to Amethyst for the ridiculous mix-up. The fox girl seemingly shrugged off his concern before answering back.
"Oh don't worry about it. Lots of people mistake me for a guy, seeing how much I obviously sound like one and all." Sonic freaked out and immediately began protesting her sarcastic remark, merely to have the vixen giggle and say "I'm just kidding! Man are you tense or what?"
"Sorry…" Sonic said out rather meekly whilst kicking up some dirt nervously. She was right; he was acting like a stupid jittery kid on his first day of school. No matter how much time he spent with them, he still couldn't deny there was some social awkwardness around the fox couple.
"Aw… Don't make that 'kicked puppy' look. Really, it doesn't suit you!" She chirped brightly, offering a small smile to raise his dwindling frown. Though not completely at ease, Sonic was happy for the unlikely source of encouragement, and soon managed to crack a grin of his own.
Amethyst clapped cheerily at her half-success "Yay! Now that's the Sonic we know!" the hero felt it odd that she would phrase it like that, considering she knew his background, but he choose to indulge on the ego-boost anyway. Probably was a good thing to, as Amethyst's upbeat mood faded a little as she said "Actually Sonic? I…I'm a little nervous about the next mission. We're going to be split up into teams, right?"
Sonic swallowed rather hard, remembering how poorly she'd taken the idea originally, especially since she was on a different team from both Tails and himself. The unlucky hedgehog now had to deal with her angst, instead of Tails himself. Raw deal though it was, the hero was willing to do whatever he can to help her, as she still was a new friend of his.
"Yeah it's true, but don't worry. I've got a price on my head if I let anything happen to Tails. I'll keep an eye on him for sure." He reassured, figuring that was the issue. However, while she did briefly smile at his sentiment, the vixen retained her face of almost motherly concern.
"Oh Tails will be fine. It's not the first time he's gone and done something dangerous without me." She didn't sound bitter this time, but actually sounded accepting of her mate's on the edge lifestyle. Gazing her firm but almost shimmering eyes, like one does before crying, into his, Amethyst admitted "I'm really worried about you…"
Whoa, whoa what? Someone besides Tails was worried about him? Sure he hadn't exactly made enemies with the rest of the team, but to have someone else show deep concern over him was…sort of touching. Her plea didn't sound creepy or romantic in any way. In fact, it felt very much like a sister reluctantly telling her brother how much she cares for him. It reminded him again of how much the old Sonic must've meant to all of them.
Keeping eye contact, the hero had his old pluck and cockiness visit him long enough to strike one of his iconic poses and then said "You know who you're talking to? I'm Sonic the Hedgehog! And no evil-masked freak and his twisted bodyguard are gonna take me down!" how he loved putting on that invincible air. It really had been too long.
Amethyst didn't roll her eyes or make any sly comments about his overacting this time. Instead she reached forward and briefly embraced the hedgehog. Her immediate drawback revealed some stray tears she'd forgotten to wipe away. Sonic hated tears most times, but these ones meant a lot to him. It showed that some people in this world cared about him for who he is, and not just for some case of mistaken identity. At least he could proceed knowing that he wasn't alone, and that he had friends even in this reversed world.
"Sonic! It's time!" Vector shouted, getting the blue-hedge's attention instantly. He offered the vixen a final thumbs up before he raced over to the crocodile's side, leaving Amethyst to go say her goodbye's to Tails.
After that little talk, Sonic could swear the air had become a little crisper and more clean tasting. The great hill overlooking the sea now gave the hero a reminder of his old home, for once in a non-depressing way. Even the scant greenery and somewhat soft earth felt great under his sort sprint. Knowing you have good friends served to liven everything up.
Once he skidded to a halt in front of the chaotic trio, his greatly improved mood drew some questionable stares from Vector and Espio, but put a huge grin on Charmy's once-sad poker face. He instinctually went up and ruffled the bee's head, earning him a quick hug from the off-center fellow. Espio put up his guard, suddenly a little wigged out by Sonic's disgustingly positive aura. Vector showed shock at first, but he then smiled too, showing his gruesome croc teeth. Something about cobalt-hog's smile was infectious.
"So what's up guys? Are we ready to go kick some kidnapper butt, or what?" Sonic didn't even try to suppress his high energy temperament now. Nor did he care how corny he sounded. He was starting to feel better and that's all that mattered.
Vector and the others then shared their info with Sonic, showing what intel Espio had gathered about the ruins. All four decided that entering in through the western side was the best course of action, considering it hadn't been disturbed in years. Espio cited how dangerous the go might be, but Sonic assured them that they only needed to stay focused on the main goal. Juggling the chameleon's rational logic and the hedgehog's chipper confidence balanced out rather well, prompting the big-mouthed crocodile to remark on what good team they would make, which caused Espio to gag slightly.
"Okay now that we have a plan, we should see what fox-breath thinks of it. You know how much he loves to pick apart anything we come up with." The ex-ninja grunted, making the whole group wave him off. He tried so hard to hide how much he respected Tails that it was almost hilarious. But he did make a good point: Tails should see what they were doing and be allowed to contribute. So…where was he?
"MR. TAILS SIR KISSY COPTER-BUTT!" Charmy squealed, somewhere out of sight, sending the team running to see what happened. When the three finally caught up with him, the group was struggling not to roll on the floor with all their chuckling, laughing, and snickering. There was the bee hovering and buzzing uncomfortably close to a very ticked-off Tails and a badly humiliated Amethyst.
"I'd like to have a word with you." Charmy said, pulling out a set of stapled papers and a pair of reading glasses out of nowhere "Are you and Miss pretty canine going to have a litter of mutant fox-babies with three or more tails? If so, would you 'bee' willing to donate one in the name of science? I have the form right here to sign whenever you're ready." Tails' pupils contracted as he gave a 'did he say what I thought he said' stare, before swapping over to a look of extreme horror. Amethyst failed to comment as she had fainted halfway through the question.
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*With Maasawd*
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Who was talking to him? The master? No, it was a woman…but he couldn't remember where he'd heard that voice before. Whoever it was, they had helped through his difficult time and relaxed his tormented mind. For that, he was thankful, but he still felt slightly betrayed by that shrouded schemer.
"If I find out he was tricking me, I'll be using that power he offered to blast him into a bloody mess. I won't be mocked by anyone…" His resolve went far enough to bring him to his feet. One comfort came from the fact that he wouldn't have to wait much longer. Sonic would be here soon and Rouge would be set free, assuming those fools had indeed collected all the emeralds of course. Strangely though, the shaded provider hadn't seemed all that interested in the emeralds last time they were mentioned.
"I don't get it. The master seemed so determined to get the emeralds we spoke, but now he express little more than ambivalence on the matter. What sort of game is he playing?" His contact was a manipulator, that's for sure, but how far did his plotting go? That was something disconcerting to even one as terrible as Maasawd. The dark one's intentions stank worse than a rotting corpse.
"Speaking of which… I haven't checked up on the thief recently." This recognition actually gave his steps some urgency, a strong reaction he'd never felt before. Stranger too, he hadn't recalled running…anywhere until remembered his neglected prisoner. It was unfamiliar to him, and even somewhat uncomfortable to be concerned about someone else for a change.
"Ended the little pity-party you were throwing yourself a little early, don't you think?" Knuckles taunted, mocking Maasawd's anguished cries he'd just so happened to hear "Well if want a way to man-up, you could always 'entertain' our feisty guest, if you know what I-Oof!"
"Out of my way!" He thundered, viciously tossing the echidna aside. He was beginning to resent, even hate, the blood-red ogre for his disgusting comments about the bat. No one and he meant NO ONE would so much as look at her the wrong way on his watch. No, it didn't entirely make sense, but he simply didn't have a taste for torturing the innocent, least of all one as abused as that Rouge girl.
Unlocking her cell door, Maasawd eagerly, perhaps too eagerly, ran in to check on his victim. What he saw was both unexpected and horrifying. She appeared just fine, until he took a close look at her face. It was covered in sweat and her face seemed like it was on fire.
"Hold still…" He said kneeling down and placing his hand on her forehead gently, beginning to draw up whatever ailment she was stricken with. It caused him some pain as he could only transfer the illness into himself; however, he deemed it important enough to proceed.
"You won't be able to fight well if you help her…"
The voice spoke the truth. Still, Maasawd continued the transfer without hesitation, apparently disinterested in the risks that would follow.
"Surely you must know who you really are. No monster would aid his enemy willingly…"
It was wrong. He was doing this for practical reasons. He needed her alive if Sonic and Tails were going to comply. He knew his own strength well enough to know how much weakness he could tolerate. Even ill, those fools were no match for him.
"Lying to yourself changes nothing. You'll never be evil, no matter what darkness holds sway over you.
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*On the road to the Ruins*
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"I'm not going to grace that with a response." Tails sighed, trying to shake off the endless bombardment of intrusive questions. Sonic teasing him about it was expected, Espio on the other hand was just plain uncalled for. The trained shadow seemed to get a massive kick out of taunting the vulpine constantly about Charmy's racy comments prior to their team's separation. It got bad enough that at one point Tails had, quite 'accidentally', booted the unsuspecting chameleon down into a muddy ditch, resulting in Espio leaping out and slugging the kit in the nose, which then escalated rather quickly into a brawl between the two flared egos.
"Whoa now guys! Chill out!" Sonic said catching both fighters by their scruff/scales. Though it had been funny to watch, Sonic reminded them both of the strict time limit and Rouge's life at stake. Shamefully, the only response he got was a grimace from Espio, and a "He started it!" from Tails, sounding accidentally very much like his younger self.
"Okay hot-heads. You want to do this like men? You want beat the other guy fair and square? Then there's only one way to settle this." Sonic proclaimed, dropping both fighters flat on their faces "A race! Whoever gets to the Ruins first is the winner. The loser has to bow before the winner and call him 'Your Highness' while kissing his shoes. Sound good?"
Both sweat-dropped at the idea of having to literally kiss the other's boots, but at the same time nothing could be more demeaning for the opposition, plus it got them to their goal faster. In all, it was a grand plan, and both combatants agreed. Sonic smirked and reminded himself to thank to his Amy for coming up with a similar way to quell many fights he'd had with his Knuckles.
"When I give the word, we all blast off, got it?" Sonic told the two, absolutely loving the competitiveness all around "Here we…GO!" he shouted and the three rocketed towards the pale grey ruins in the distance. Seeing them stunned Sonic with déjà vu, remembering how it was the first place he ever visited.
"Who'd have thought the place I'd start out on this crazy trip, would be where I'd be ending it?" he maxed out on his speed and barreled back to where his adventure had begun in a stream of blue light.
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End of Chapter Twenty-eight
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I know what you're all thinking: "Why won't he get on with it already?" Well I couldn't just split up the teams without some sad goodbyes, so I hope you'll forgive me there. Not as much action as I was hoping for, but at least I got some Tails and Espio rivalry in.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the number of classes I have on Tuesdays, I will be changing my update times to Wednesday for the remainder of this semester!
DanceDream: I saw it, and I've taken my own action against it. Especially when Wikipedia started their protest. Back to the story: Yes, yes you did! Wait, are you talking to me or Metal? XD Amy was told to meet Maria in that location, I just implied rather than saying it outright. Crab Watcher is such an odd idea! I hope I get to tell you how I came up with that one day. Charmy doesn't have ANY reservations made for his own table, if you take my meaning. He had another 'Bean' moment in this chapter (mucho respect if you get the bee's reference). Wow I would love to keep talking forever, but I'd end up writing a whole new story! I can't wait to be able to pm with you. Never shorten your reviews though; I love how long they are!
Ghostkid33: Yes they are, albeit a reserved one. Yup he sure is. Kind of hard not to feel a little bit sorry for him no? Not as much action this time T_T, but next chapter our heroes better be ready to dance with the devil!
Serenity: I hope I hear from you again soon!
Infamousplot: I'm not taking down your name, cuz I know you'll get this eventually.
Kindra Mckleen: No prob :) Yup I hate those crab-meat things too. Especially in Spring Yard zone when you're getting off those block elevators -_-' they spilled my rings every time! Welp it's a lot bigger and nicer than those mean things. XD Espio should be more honest with his emotions, but then we guys have issues with that! O rly? Hee-hee-hee-ha-ha-ha!
knight of the windZ10Z: Don't worry! I've tailored my time-table to better match my updates! Yeah I just wanted to throw a little "Prime Amy" into the new one XD. I'll find some time for those two soon. They have…a lot of rough stuff to go through together. XD I'm glad you like the alternate trio!
Sierra Zanimalini14: Oh he will soon enough. Charmy is good ain't he? I hope you like his sort of disturbing remarks in this chap too! Thanks again for reviewing!
Super Shadix 520: Nah man it's fine. I even have trouble coming up with original lines to use in my story. I'm thinking "Oh yupper that sounds great! Durr-dur-dur!" only to find out I used that scene like two chapters ago DX. I hope you might get a hint for the 'the shade's' identity in this chap!
Sparkling-nexis137: Interesting. I hadn't likened it to that until you said it! Yup he's the big daddy himself, now if only I'll reveal him soon XD. Espio cares, just in a very gruff way. XDDDD Oh dang, I still get over how utterly epic that sounds! Big the Cat, supreme director of EVIIIIL! XD You make me laugh with that :)
prowerboy: I try to leave nothing out and forget no one. Hopefully I can keep that up! XD Do you plan on pressing charges by chance?
Dark Fox Tailz: Good guess. I've included a sort of hodgepodge of the clashes you suggested! Hope you enjoy!
draco'sfairmaiden: Thanks and no sweat! Majora's Mask is awesome! I was actually looking for an excuse to use that quote for some time XD. Good, I'm glad you like Maria! I didn't want to push her 'angelic' side too much, but I did want her to be the benign girl we fans envision.
Cut Productions: A group, are we? Well I must say I'm quite flattered to be getting your attention then! Thank you all for your uplifting comments, but I am still a writer in training, and have a whole lot yet to learn. I like your "what if", I must say I don't usually work with Shadow. I'm more of a Sonic and Tails kind of guy. However, if you want me to include something like your idea, I'd be more than happy to try. :D Thank you again! Those intros are good fun to write! I look forward to your analysis of this chapter! See you all next chap!
Until next time!