Fading Shadows
Chapter III
The Guardian
I left the suburbs with a heavy heart, but I successfully managed to lift myself up. It's not the end of the world. I will see Knuckles next. He will not be busy like Sonic. "Chaos Control." In a flash of yellow light, I was zapped over to Angel Island. In that instant, I was taken from the surroundings of homes, yards, trees and sidewalks to the wild surroundings of giant trees towering many stories high, bushes with thick leaves the size of hammocks, and the chatter of exotic birds and insects filling a green canopy of branches and leaves.
I observed my surroundings. Knuckles often would be around the Master Shrine, sitting there and constantly waiting. I needed to locate the Shrine first, but Angel Island is huge, filled with thick green jungles, ancient ruins, grassy fields, steep mountains, and forking valleys. I Chaos Controlled again, that time specifying the Shrine as my destination.
I was in a field of vibrant grass speckled with dew drops, making the carpet of green appear to have beads of quicksilver upon it. It was beautiful, a natural work of art that man will never be capable of reproducing. Ahead of my eyes was the Shrine, with its valuable Master Emerald waiting in its place upon the top of the aged, weathered stone steps.
In the jade ambience of the mystic crystal, a red shape sat down in front of it. The red shape stood up and warily peered across the field, watching me with violet eyes. I started to walk forward watching the red echidna for any reactions, watching intently as my feet brushed against the dewdrops of grass, sending small sprays of cool water on my legs. The blades of grass tickled my ankles as I approached the familiar figure of the echidna. "Stop right there," a voice warned as the red mammal glared at me in warning. "Hi," I replied with a smile.
I wondered within myself quietly as I waited for the guardian to approach me. Why am I so friendly? This is not what I have been like at all! The thought of the sulking, loathing mood I had during my previous encounters on the ARK flashed through my mind. I was not happy, but I have not been happy for a long time. Could it be because of hope? Could it be because of my despair, finally bringing me out of the impregnable and solid shield around my heart? I was opening up not because of my moral beliefs, at least not the morals alone.
I was tired of being numb, of drowning. Upon this contemplation, I decided that hopefully my returned vigor and tender feeling will not be harshly killed, as the tender growth of a spring shoot is nipped dead by a late and unsympathetic frost. I am seeking compassion, feeling. I crave warmth; need it as a plant needs sunlight. This hope I harbor has coaxed me out of my winter, my terrible, cold, lonely winter. "Hey, Shadow. What are you doing up here on Angel Island?" The red guardian asked while the amethyst pools of his eyes watched me, a glint of curiosity within them.
I could only manage to give up a shrug in response. I spoke up with reluctance. "I just wanted to drop by and see how you are doing." The echidna looked down at his gloves, and then back at me. "Is something wrong?" Knuckles asked. I shook my head. Knuckles turned to look at the Master Emerald just as it started to brighten its intense glow. Knuckles ran back to the emerald and I followed. "This darn thing has been acting up all week. I do not know why it is, but I need to find out. I am sorry Shadow, but I am busy." My heart sank slightly. "I understand." I turned and left the field behind, walking between trees of the forest. At times I feel completely invisible.
I sighed briefly and closed my eyes, welcoming the song of the rainforest. I could hear tropical crickets chirp and birds singing in every direction. Am I destined to be forgotten? At that moment I wanted to disappear altogether. I laid my eyes upon an angular pyramid. It must have been extravagant in its prime, now overgrown with curling vines and shade of trees. The ruin is now a part of this forest. I wondered how many years ago the ruin was finally erected on the island. The stone was cracking, fissured, grey and mossy. It must be thousands of years old.
A distance from the venerable stones, a mighty tree towered above all of the others around it. I approached the tree, stepping over mud and decaying leaves in order to reach it. The tree was dead. It stood tall, a massive skeleton of the tree it once was, yet its death alone did not entice me to approach it, for there was a peculiarity upon its rotting trunk. The tree had a giant vine growing on it, enveloping it in branched framework. Strangling fig was the name of the vine. The fig vine had a suitable name for a reason. The vine killed the tree, this massive and old tree, nearly invincible, was brought to its end by a lowly parasite. I laid a hand on the vine and growled as my brow furrowed.
I can relate to that unfortunate tree. The vine that killed it has a counterpart in my suffering, my torture, and my loss. The vine is slowly killing me. With two words, I vanished from the face of the island, once again in front of my humble abode beneath the steps in a city alley...
A.N. Two reviews, please!