Chapter 1: Awakening
It's been a long time since I've met anyone. I can feel it in my head, but yet, I cannot remember what it is that tells me this. I only regained control of my body for a few seconds. I open my eyes, and I look out into the blackness around me. I am in a lab, or maybe even a factory. steel walls surround me, closing off all sources of light except for that of a lamp directly above me. I am inside of a tight space made of glass, which I immediately Identify as a capsule. Why would I be in a capsule? Am I a test subject of some sort? I can't remember...
In the light, I see a young hedgehog before me. He looks short, and evidently young, but I can't recognize him, no matter how I try to. I moved my head down from my head in hopes of getting a better look at the fellow, but as soon as I did, a panicked voice yelled out "Run!" and he dissapeared as soon as I caught a glimpse of him.
The hedgehog had been standing in plain sight, but now, I noticed many more of the little figures. They were all terrified of something, and were running for a doorway at the far side of the room. They scream in voices of such fear and terror that I wonderwhat they are scared of. Is it me?
I look around as soon as the shapes dissapear, and Wonder where I am. The encapsulement had obviously erased my memory, that much I can deduce. I feel like I should know where I am, but nonetheless, I can't remember. I slowly climb out of the capsule I'm in, and walk towards the other parts of the room. something catches my eye, I see broken glass on another capsule nearby. Another captive had been inside, from the traces of fur on the floor nearby. a broken tablet near the site reads "Experiment 736" This must be a laboratory. nowhere else are things labeled as "Experiments". I make my way along the wall, seeing inventions such as Teleporters, ray guns, deflector shields, and even a mind reader. then, I find myself by the capsule I had just come out of. "Dormancy Chrio-Chamber". Strange. I must be a scientist who tested out the machine. from the notes nearby, I figured that the capsule was used to keep someone alive for long periods of time, unaffected by the elements. I shiver, wondering how long I have been in the capsule. This lab is creeping me out, So I decided to leave. The only door on the far side seems to lead to the outside, so I'll go that way.
As I leave The lab, I pass through a large hallway. the walls are littered with pictures of a fox. He looks exactly like me, with the same hair, the same orange fur, and the same twin tails. I can only presume from the similarity that they are of me before I lost my memory. If there are pictures of me layering the walls, then this lab must belong to me as well. Many of the pictures that I see also show a blue hedgehog, who was notably older than I seemed to be. He was pictured doing many things, such as playfully giving me a headlock, ruffling my hair, and giving thumbs-up signs. Who is this person? Is he part of my long-lost family? I wonder...
As I progress, more questions still form in my mind. Was that hedgehog the one who encapsulated me? If so, why? I continue to move through the hallway, I am beginning to wonder if this was some method of torture. I cannot remember anything of a past life that I know I had, and seems to be right before my eyes. My mind is blank, but yet I feel that there is something more that I need to know, something of greater purpose that I was to achieve…
I reach the end of the hall, and there is a colossal doorway in front of me, slightly open to reveal that it is indeed quite late in the evening, maybe even past midnight. The door had a large handle carved out of fancy wood, and the door itself must be worth quite a fortune. Bronze designs swirled around in intertwining circles, leaving the spaces in between to be occupied by the brown of hard wood. I opened the door with a great creak of wood that had not moved for ages. The hinges squealed, but did not give in to the door's weight. Outside, the rain poured from the skies, only to be brightened by frequent flashes of lightning, and drowned out by the booming voice of thunder. the moon stood alone, in a gap between the clouds, giving an eerie silver glow to the cold, blue night. Lightning struck, and in the short time of sight that I had, I recognized the short buildings and shingled roofs of a urban city.
"Spagonia..." Said a voice in my head. I somehow remember the name for this place... I find that intriguing. Maybe I am simply suffering from some minor amnesia, and my memories will come back with time. However, it could also mean that I only remember things after I experience them again. If I recognize this city from my past, then it could be because I am now in it. However, I don't remember what that laboratory was called...
I left my theories about my memory aside, and started to run through the streets, hoping to find someone who might recognize me. As I raced through the night, my hair cold and damp, I wished that I could have stayed inside. As falling water clouded my vision, the city was a blur. The streets were empty, for nobody in their right mind would be about during a time like this. I had no shelter from the rain, and my fur was soaked, and it clung tight to my body. It seemed like nothing would ever make the unending night come to a close.
Suddenly, through the darkness of the night, I saw the faint glow of torch light. I raised my head and looked out into the rain to see a small roof over a space in the street. Two oil lamps burned on the sides of an old man. He was a bit plump, but that only enhanced his jovial appearance. His small moustache and grey hair glistened in the moonlight, and his smile was pleasing. He was playing a tune on a lute made out of fine wood and long strings that made a pleasant melody. Happily, the old man closed his eyes, listening quietly to the tune he was making, as if completely unaware of the rain around him. I stood watching, as he finished his song.
"Life, the very core of existence,
Though often wasted away,
Should be treated with great happiness,
And enjoyed by all today."
As he finished the song with this ending chorus, he looked up from his music, and saw me standing in the rain.
"Well, don't just stand there, come out of the rain and warm yourself up. I'll get you a cup of tea."
I had failed to notice that there was a small kettle over one of the lamps, and there were also some cups, with which he poured some of his brew into, and held out for me to take. I gratefully took the cup, tired and cold from walking the streets.
"Thank you. What are you doing outside singing on a night like this?"
The Old man took a sip from another cup of tea, and calmly replied with a smile.
"In this world, there are two distinct forces. Negative forces move about the world, hoping to consume it with anger and depression. Balancing them are positive forces, bringing happiness and laughter to mankind. Depressing times have come on the city, and there is little here to support the hope of the people. And so I sit here in the rain, and I show them that I do not let poverty deprive me of my spirit."
He turned his head, smiling into the shadows of another alleyway.
"Don't be shy, young one. Come sit by the fire and warm yourself."
A small Boy crept forth from the shadows. His clothes were ragged, and his skin dirty. His cautious manner in walking forward showed that though he looked to be of only five years old or so, he had seen troubling things.
As the boy approached, the old man kindly offered him a bit of bread. The boy took the bread, and examined it. As soon as he determined that it was edible, he proceeded to wolf it down as a dog devours it's dinner. Having done good, the old man patted the boy on the head before he scurried away into the shadows. He pulled out the lute, and once again began to sing his song, happily playing out a joyous tune. The mood of the piece was so enlightening, I found myself singing along as well. Together, we were happy, as we sang into the thunder, lightning and all of the storms power.
"Life, the very core of existence,
Though often wasted away,
Should be treated with great happiness,
And enjoyed by all today."
I gratefully thanked the old man for his kindness. I thanked him for the song, the tea, and the hope he gave me. He shoved my thanks off, telling me it was nothing to him, and he would gladly do it anytime. I was about to leave the street, for the rain had stopped, and I could see a faint light in the eastern sky, awaiting the next day. However, just before I left, I remembered why I was there, I turned around and asked the old man,
"Do you know who I am?"
The old man smiled as he replied, "Of course I do, Tails. Why would I ever forget you?"
Seconds later, as I was to ask one more question, the old man was gone, and the wind drove leaves about in the street where he once had been. I turned my head towards the place, and whispered to nobody in particular,
"Thank you..."