REVERSE/REBIRTH: ESPIO'S TALE
Chapter Four: Resonating Remembrance
Last time on Reverse/Rebirth:
Hope was returned to Espio when being reunited with the King of Babylon, Jet the Hawk. Unfortunately, it was only a vision sent by the king to deliver a warning. If Espio gives into the darkness given by Mephiles, he will be captured by the Seeker of Darkness forever. Avoid the power was easier said than done. Espio first trial was facing the unknown assailant, Cynder. During the battle, he learned that darkness has gained a life of its own and is already attempting to take over.
The scene returns to the dark room in the higher reaches of the basement floors of Castle Oblivion. Just as before, the three unknown members of their secret "Order" were gathered, contemplating over their newest predicament. Mewtwo was pacing around the room and Erazor remained motionless – both members never leaving their eyes from Oracle. The prophetic jackal was staring into space – his eyes resumed their unusual appearance. A moment later, his eyes returned to normal.
"I have identified the intruder." Oracle informed. "It is Espio, the former chosen one of the Keyblade."
"Espio, you say?" Mewtwo said interestingly. "He has emerged from the Realm of Darkness?"
"His existence was once doubled in the darkness." Oracle added.
"Fascinating." Mewtwo hummed pleasingly. "That must be why you mistook him for the Superior. The dark power given to Espio facilitated his escape the Dark Realm."
"What I want to know is..." Oracle said thoughtfully. "Why has he appeared here, in Castle Oblivion?"
"That is quite simple." Mewtwo said smugly. "His existence resonates with that of another hero."
"Sonic?" Oracle questioned. "He's in the Castle?"
"He arrived a little earlier." Mewtwo informed. "Duskmon lured the Keyblade Master into the castle and is using the girl's unique powers to meddle with Sonic's heart.
"Without even bothering to consult us." Oracle frowned.
"It seems he desperately wants the Keyblade Master for himself." Mewtwo grimaced. "What a foolish plan. Sonic's existence is not so interesting. But the entity that holds true value Espio, the hero of darkness."
"Whatever you have planned, I suggest you do it soon." Oracle stated. "Our other 'guest' has just arrived."
The scene returns to the white halls of the basement floors. Nothing out of the ordinary happened when Espio escaped from the false world of Traverse Town. The dark chameleon halfheartedly expected to see King Jet again, but was sadly disappointed and moved on to the next floor. But when he reached the point of the blank door at the end of the hall, he was unfortunately greeted by a familiar echo.
"Did you enjoy my gift?" Mephiles cackled.
"Oh, you again." Espio sneered. "Why are you still following me?"
"You and I are one and the same." Mephiles stated. "We are both manifestations of the darkness. We thrive on it, growing and becoming complete through it. You cannot deny that you savor the taste of the shadows."
"I'm not you, Mephiles." Espio growled.
"You say that now." Mephiles said confidently. "But you cannot escape forever. You ARE the darkness."
The dark chameleon clutched his hand in anger as the shadow demon's voice faded into the white walls. Since he had no idea where he was, Espio took out his rage on a nearby pottery plant, smashing the clay into dust. He was so consumed by his anger as he approached the blank door that he didn't bother looking at the card he chose. He just reached for one of the card he received from Mephiles, nearly crushing the piece, and raised it too the door. But his rage was subsided when the light of the memory enveloped him – he felt as if his skin was burning.
---Meteor Maze---
Once again, the dark chameleon was lost in the blinding light; unable to see in which direction he was moving. But suddenly, the Warrior of Darkness felt a surge of shadow flow through his body – Mephiles was attempting to take over. Espio forced himself to resist the temptation and managed to block off the darkness at the same moment his eyesight returned. The dark chameleon had stumbled into a cavernous region with multiple pathways forming in the walls. Just below the platform from where he stood, a vat of green acid rested at the bottom of the chasm.
"I remember this place." Espio said sorrowfully.
"Of course you would." Mephiles returned, sounding pleased. "This is where you first betrayed your friends and made yourself known as a member of the darkness. This is where you attempted to take the life of that blue freak to save your precious rose."
"I had to do it." Espio argued. "I needed to save Amy."
"And so your actions justified." Mephiles cackled. "The darkness is not evil. It was necessary to save the girl."
"Why do you refer to your daughter as if you do not recognize her?" Espio questioned.
"Because I no longer need frivolous things such as family." Mephiles said menacingly. "By throwing away the weakness of the heart, I have come closer to immortality than anyone before me."
"Why am I not surprised?" Espio scowled.
Deciding to find a way out, Espio walked over to the mouth of the nearest tunnel and cautiously entered into the shadows. But unknown to him, a pair of red eyes were watching him from the secreting acids below. The dark chameleon found multiple problems upon entering the world. For one thing, every path he took looked exactly the same as the one he had already taken. And every time he used his Soul Eater to cut a marker in the wall, a thunderous roar knocked Espio off his feet and the marker was resealed a moment later. For several tense moments, Espio had the suspicious feeling that the walls changed every time he left the room. He was proven right when he backpedaled once and found out that the previous room had transformed entirely. After ten more minutes of endless travel, Espio found himself back in the acid room from the beginning of his adventure.
"Back so soon?" Mephiles laughed humorously.
"What the hell?!" Espio exclaimed confused. "How did I get back here?"
"This maze is a symbol of the darkness." Mephiles proclaimed. "You can never escape it."
"You mean you planned this?" Espio questioned.
"This world was formed from the pieces of your memory." Mephiles explained. "Now that you and I has become united by the same shadow that commands the Heartless. By accepting the darkness from Black Doom, you allowed me into your heart and mind."
"Then I'll just reject you!" Espio yelled.
"Then what will you have left?" Mephiles laughed. "The light has become your greatest enemy and the darkness has become your greatest fear. The only choice is to accept the force that will grant you its power."
"I am not so easily persuaded." Espio glared.
"Then perhaps I can change your opinion." Mephiles said deviously.
Not even a moment passed before Seeker of Darkness made his words clear. A flock of regular Shadow Heartless was crawling along the walls, shortly joined by a familiar breed of Heartless. The new creatures were pale-white phantasms with the Heartless emblem printed on their chests and one of their eyes was dangling by a chain. Espio recognized them as Search Ghosts. Espio knew he would have no trouble dealing with the Shadows as he drew his Soul Eater, but he knew the Search Ghosts would be the most difficult to deal with. As the Shadows jumped forward to Espio's platform, their companions faded from existence. The dark chameleon effortlessly cut down and wide majority of the Shadow Heartless with a single swing – he was much more conservative than Sonic. But as he prepared to destroy the remaining portion, one of the Search Ghosts appeared from out of nowhere and swung one of its claws across his face. The wound wasn't deep as Espio staggered backwards, but he could feel the darkness in his heart healing it instantly.
"You see?" Mephiles echoed victoriously. "The darkness will protect you. It is your ally."
"Do you ever give up?" Espio sneered.
Espio took another swing for the ghostly entities, but they faded from existence in the blink of an eye. He recognized their battle tactics and decided to even out the playing field. Clapping his hands together, the dark chameleon activated his species special trait and blended perfectly with his environment. Clearly caught off guard by this tactic, the Shadows swerved their heads in confusion and the Search Ghosts reappeared, equally confused. Using a technique he learned from Mephiles, Espio pulled out three cards and expelled the darkness from his hand in the form of a black fireball. The technique, Dark Firaga, not only incinerated the Heartless, but it also purified any of Mephiles' darkness attempting to capture his heart.
"Still not convinced." Espio smirked as he reappeared.
"Oh, but the fun is only just starting." Mephiles laughed.
"What are you talking about?" Espio questioned.
"I think it is time for a visit from an old friend." Mephiles said mysteriously.
"What in the world are...?"
Suddenly, a geyser of acid erupted from the pit below, spraying its lethal liquid across the walls. The dark chameleon back flipped into the air and attached himself to the ceiling as the hiss of the acid scorched the rocks. The meteor was not too happy about being attacked from the inside and emitted a ferocious roar. The quake created by the vibrations forced Espio off the ceiling and back onto the platform, where another strange being was waiting for him. It was a black, insidious monster with a koala-like body with the Heartless emblem pressing into its chest. Aside from its serrated claws, and jagged rows of teeth, the Heartless also possessed four slithering tentacles protruding from its back.
"Remember me?" The creature snarled.
"Ooh, this is bad." Espio hissed evasively.
"So you do remember me." The creature snarled. "I expect you would remember stabbing in the back!"
"Is there anyway we could avoid a fight?" Espio asked feebly.
"Not in the slightest." The creature hissed.
Heartless Experiment: 627
Before Espio realized what had occurred, the shadow beast, now identified as 627, grabbed his arm with the slimy tentacles from its back. The Heartless savage raised the dark chameleon into the air and began twisting him around, occasionally slamming him into the rocks. But Espio managed to catch a break by grabbed the walls with his feet to prevent 627 from controlling him. The dark chameleon smirked at 627's shocked expression and gripped the tentacles with his hands before pulling them sharply to himself. The Heartless Experiment screamed in shock while Espio released his hold on the wall and kicked at his face with both heels. 627 accidentally released his tentacles as he dive-bombed back to the platform, but Espio was right behind him. Before the Heartless Experiment could land, Espio released three more cards from his gauntlet, activating a new sleight he created on the spot. The Soul Eater flashed in multiple directions as its owner began swing his arm faster than the eye could see. As both warriors landed on opposite ends of the pit, 627 hissed in pain as his precious tentacles were detached and fell into the acid pit below.
"You sickening lizard." 627 snarled lowly.
"You see that, Mephiles." Espio muttered, ignoring the crazed animal. "I don't need the darkness to gain power. I am powerful enough without it."
"If that is what you believe." Mephiles replied, sounding unconvinced. "But let's just see how far that power gets you."
The dark chameleon was brought back to reality by a loud hissing sound emerging from the ceiling. 627 had lunged himself across the pit with his claws exposed and his teeth poised to crush the closed object in sight. Espio fell backwards onto his back and raised his feet to kick the enraged Heartless overhead. 627 tumbled back to his feet and made a swipe for Espio's heart. The attack missed, but the pressure surrounding the claw was sharp enough to create the injury all the same. The dark chameleon jumped backwards into the air before 627 could make another attempt – the darkness was closing his wound. He nearly fell into the acid pit when almost slipping off the ledge of the platform, but managed to pull himself backwards. And at that exact same moment, the Heartless Experiment made another attempt to follow him. At the point, Espio did the only thing he could think of at the time: he punched him. The warrior of darkness drived his fist into the beast's cheek, sending him splashing into acid below them.
"Whew, glad that's over." Espio sighed in relief.
"Is it?" Mephiles chuckled.
"You're kidding me." Espio moaned.
Pushing close to the edge, Espio stared into the bubbling green cauldron below. Much to his dismay, 627 was seen swimming through the acid as if he was just taking a fresh dip in a pool. The dark chameleon shivered at the Heartless Experiment's wicked smile before the beast opened his jaw to suck in a last amount of acid. Espio dropped back just in time as the stream of green liquid passed overhead, corroding the rock formation above him. Why covering his ears asking the meteor's defiant roars, Espio stammered fearfully when a flow of acid formed a waterfall from the hole. He pressed his hand into the platform and twisted to the right in hopes of landing on the next platform, which suddenly eroded beneath him. As he fell through the gaping hole, he found 627 making another attempt with his acid jet. Acting fast, Espio raised the Soul Eater, which easily cut through the burning liquid. Since the blade was forged from pure darkness, it was impossible to destroy with anything less than extreme concentrations of light. After finding himself safe, the dark chameleon stabbed the Soul Eater into the wall, ignoring the screams of the meteor.
"This isn't getting me anywhere." Espio panted. He reached into his gauntlet and pulled out the card of Jet the Hawk. "I'm going to need a little back up for this one."
"Then allow me to assist you." Mephiles echoed.
For reasons unknown, Espio's hand seized up, unintentionally releasing the card.
"What...is...?" Espio groaned.
"You have lost yourself in the battle." Mephiles cackled. "While your mind was focused on that genetic mistake, you forgot to drain yourself of the darkness that has been culminating within your heart."
"No." Espio hissed painfully.
"Yes..." Mephiles whispered pleasurably. "Now it is my time to take control."
As Espio and Mephiles struggled in a battle of wills, 627 used the distraction to gather more acid into his jaws and expelled it through his teeth. The liquid hissed, the meteor groaned for a final time, but 627 was proud enough that he had finally killed the dark chameleon. His smile faltered a moment later. Espio emerged unharmed, but with a completely different appearance. He wore a black body suit that turned crimson-red over his hands and light-blue over his chest with the Heartless emblem over his heart. He also wore navy-blue boots and intersecting belts with a white ragged cape flowing around his waist. Very few have ever seen this form, but many could recognize the evil it represented. Mephiles had taken over.
"What the...?" 627 questioned horrifyingly.
"Now you will witness REAL power!" Mephiles cackled.
Mephiles released his dark weapon from the wall and made a dive for the pool of corrosive chemicals. 627 had a funny feeling that he had lost his mind, but was proud to know that the battle would finally be over. Image how shocked and disappointed he was when he watched Mephiles land on the surface of the acid as if it was solid. The Seeker of Darkness raced forward with the Soul Eater in hand, but the Heartless Experiment made a quick dive below the surface. Mephiles seemed to have been expecting this as he pressed his palm into the acid, releasing a pulse of darkness. Within seconds, the acid transformed into a sea of black flames, which escaped the pit and began burning every substance within reach. The meteor groaned in pain until its voice died away with its life. Mephiles smiled with a demonic grin as 627 jumped from the burning pool – his fur incinerated and his skin glowing hot-red. When noticing that Mephiles had jumped in his direction, the savage beast attempted to draw the last of his remaining strength to defend himself. But it was futile. Mephiles was a blur as his blade cleaved the Heartless Experiment in two. After both halves fell into the fiery pit below, a black card with the demon's face appeared and replaced itself in Espio's gauntlet. But neither dark entity seemed to care.
627: Defeated
"Finally, the feel of power rushing through the veins of the flesh." Mephiles cackled wickedly, stretching Espio's finger. "I have grown so accustom to my physical form that it difficult to remember a time without it."
"You – can't – win." Espio groaned, holding his head in pain. "I – will not – give..."
"Give in to the darkness?" Mephiles smirked, pushing back Espio's control. "But you already have, little one. The darkness of your heart has already forfeited to my power. You are helpless."
"Not as long as I have anything to say about it!"
Mephiles hissed furiously at the voice. There was only one person who could drive such fury into his mind so quickly. The green card that Espio had lost during the battle resurfaced from the sea of flames below, exploding into a ray of light. The Seeker of Darkness shielded his eyes from the glow and staggered backwards when Jet the Hawk appeared in front.
"I thought I got rid of you." Jet grimaced.
"You are a foolish ruler." Mephiles stated victoriously. "Espio has given into me and he is lost in the darkness."
"He will never be lost." Jet proclaimed. "As long as there are people who think of him, he will always have a home to return to."
The Seeker of Darkness seethed at the Babylonian king and took a furious swing to his face. That proved to be his greatest blunder. The moment the Soul Eater came in contact with the King's aura, the darkness of the weapon was obliterated and vanished with its controller. The dark suit faded away and Espio dropped to his knees, panting heavily. He placed a hand to his heart. Mephiles stilled remained inside of him, just temporarily stopped.
"Thank you, your majesty." Espio said gratefully.
"You gotta be more careful next." Jet advised. "This was only a one time thing. I won't be able to save you next Mephiles takes over until I arrive at the castle."
"You don't need to tell me that I'm weak." Espio murmured softly.
"You're not weak, Espio." Jet stated sympathetically. "You've grown so used to the darkness that you can't recognize what's happening inside you." He quickly realized he said the wrong thing when Espio hung his head. "N-Not that that can't happen. Lots of people have fallen to the darkness."
"Like you and Sonic?" Espio questioned sarcastically.
"Ok, this isn't helping." Jet said bluntly.
And before they could continue their conversation, Jet's time ended and returned the king to his card. As the dark chameleon retrieved his card, the blank door appeared through one of the tunnels – the only one that wasn't burned down. Sighing heavily, Espio walked to the door, happy that this terrible nightmare was over. And even as he opened the doors to release the brilliant light, he was satisfied that the light did not pain him as before. Things were about to change.
Meanwhile the scene returns the dark room of the basement floors in Castle Oblivion. Oracle was staring off into space once more – Erazor and Mewtwo left a short while ago. His attention was brought back to reality by a vision he foresaw, which came true within moments of its completion. A portal of darkness emerged from the ground, but it was neither Erazor nor Mewtwo that appeared. Terro walked nonchalantly across the room, looking vague and mysterious as he stood at Oracle's side, staring into the opposite direction.
"So, what news is there of the higher levels?" Oracle asked simply. "Has Sonic really arrived in Castle Oblivion?"
"Mewtwo never could keep a secret." Terro chuckled tonelessly.
"And the girl?" Oracle continued.
"Duskmon is using her powers to take control of Sonic." Terro informed. "He is experience the symptoms. As you know, Castle Oblivion amplifies her unique trait. Maybe that is why she was discovered in this castle in the first place. But even so, Sonic still believes that he will find Espio and the King of Babylon in this castle."
"And he may be right." Oracle proclaimed. "They are in the basement floors of Castle Oblivion."
"They are?" Terro asked surprisingly. "What exactly have I missed?"
Espio has emerged from the Realm of Darkness through his own brand of darkness." Oracle explained. "His heart was drawn by the connection between him and Sonic, which allowed him to appear in this castle. Even now, he is attempting to ward off the darkness while traveling through his forsaken memories."
"Anything interesting?" Terro asked.
"He has destroyed the shadow of Black Doom." Oracle answered. "And he has faced the shadows of two creatures of the darkness. We know them both well enough and one of them is someone we have both come to familiarize." He glanced at the crimson bat. "The Superior wishes that you do not fail your mission."
"Hey, I'm Terro the Bat." Terro cackled. "I am the Deceptive Rogue. Got it memorized." The room was filled by the sound of a familiar ring tone. "How does this Axel guy always find me?!"
The temptations have become more powerful. Will Espio be able to resist the darkness much longer? Will King Jet arrive in time to save him? And what is the mission given to Terro? Find out of the next Reverse/Rebirth!
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