Chapter 4: Nighttime Encounters
--
Shadow had heard the explosions towards the center of the city, and raced over towards the din. He had to relocate onto the rooftops because the streets were soon flooded with panicked pedestrians. From his perches on the top of the roof, he found that the center, an island it appeared, had experienced weapons fire. He teleported into the center of the chaos (during the wars with the Black Arms, he had discovered the art of teleporting without a Chaos Emerald), and looked at the wreckage around. The whole area was filling with smoke from fires and he found it slightly hard to see. Slowly walking forward, he attempted to make sense of what had happened here. From the craters, missiles were launched from above. Impulsively, he looked up and saw the ship hovering over head. The design of the ship looked familiar, but he couldn't quite make it out; there was simply too much smoke masking it. His foot clanked against something metal. Looking down, he saw the still frame of a robot. By its build, it was meant for battle, but its armor appeared relatively weak to what Shadow had seen on other mechs. Its arms were made of weaponry, one machine gun and the other a small missile launcher. Judging by the caliber of each, either of the weapons didn't appear to do a lot of damage...on structures anyway. A living body was a whole different matter. The design was unlike anything the black hedgehog had ever seen, and he has seen plenty of mechs, both from Dr. Robotnik and from GUN.
Shadow's ears perked. It sounded like a high-pitched engine flying around nearby. He couldn't see anything because it was just too smoky. Leaping up on various structures, he cleared the smoke and saw the source. It was a hovercraft, a large one and in it was a man in red with a large orangeish-brown moustache.
"Doctor!" Shadow said. "You are here too?"
The man turned towards Shadow and cried out. "It's you! That hedgehog!"
Shadow sensed something was odd about the Doctor, but decided to play along. "Hmm, maybe I am. What are you going to do about it?"
Dr. Kintobor pounded a fist on the machine. "Where did you take Elise!?"
"Elise?" Shadow was somewhat surprised. "I don't know anyone by that name." He crossed his arms. "I have questions for you, Doctor..."
"I will not be interrogated by some animal!" The doctor made a hand motion, and instantly, several of those robots Shadow had seen dropped down to surround Shadow. He didn't flinch at all.
"Animal?" Shadow's eye's flashed. "You act as if you never knew me. You disappoint me, Doctor. As a former ally, I would've figured you'd remember what I can do."
The robots opened fire, but at nothing at all. Shadow wasn't there. Kintobor looked around in surprised. There wasn't even a blur like last time.
"I'm over here..."
Kintobor spun around in surprise. Sure enough, Shadow was standing cross-armed on one of his thrusters, like some sort of statue.
"It seems I have to give you a reminder. I'm Shadow...!" Shadow leapt into the air, hands curling into fists, arms crossed in front of him. "Shadow the HEDGEHOG!!" Shadow threw his arms towards the robots, opening his hands as well. Out of his fists came sparks of lightning, hurling themselves at terrific force at the robots. The mechs did not stand a chance; they were not designed to take this punishment. They crumpled instantly and flew backwards against such force, colliding with each other and the surrounding structures. None stood again. Shadow stood once again on the thrusters, back into his usual pose. "...and I would like you to remember that."
Kintobor's attitude changed. He regarded the hedgehog, silently. Neither moved for quite a while.
Finally, the doctor, fingering his moustache in thought finally spoke. "It's interesting. You act as if you have known me for a long time, but quite honestly, I don't recall your face at all, or ever having an ally. I had no need as before now, I was the best scientist of the Soleanna Technical Institute for Robotics. I was practically its founder!"
Shadow focused more on the human. Come to think of it, this man didn't quite look like the doctor Shadow knew.
"Are you suggesting you are not Dr. Robotnik?"
"Dr. Robotnik!?" Kintobor laughed. "I cannot say I am, Shadow."
This was the first time Shadow in his lifetime felt awkward. After all, he did just assault someone else entirely and destroy some of his protectors.
"Never mind the robots. They're a dime a dozen, although I must say, you performed admirably in dispatching them. It usually takes more then one person to take them out with conventional weapons. Allow me to introduce myself, Shadow, so as not to cause more awkwardness. I am Dr. Albus Kintobor, a scientist specializing in the robotic industry and quantum physics. I can show you many of my credentials, but I'm sure that would bore you.
"You asked me what is my purpose here? Well, I am currently doing research on an abandoned project done by Soleannan scientists and the monarch has connections with its former developers. I merely wanted to ask questions, however, someone has attacked the city even on its holy festival night as well! My robots are patrolling the streets trying to locate the assailants."
That would definitely explain the damage, Shadow thought to himself.
"Well, doctor. I apologize for wrecking your robots just the same. I mistook you for a foe." Shadow leapt down onto the pavement, and turned back to Dr. Kintobor. "If I see these assailants, I shall detain them for you. Continue the search just the same."
"I thank you, Shadow, for your cooperation," Kintobor bowed. "Oh, and before you go, do you happen to know a blue hedgehog? He looks something like you, actually..."
Shadow stopped, and was considering answering him, but he wasn't sure he fully trusted this new doctor. There wasn't a way currently to verify his story, so he wasn't about to trust this person yet. "No," he lied.
"Shame, really..." Kintobor said. A beeping noise erupted from the control panel of the hovercraft, and Kintobor investigated. "It seems my units have engaged the assailants. I must go now, Shadow. Adieu!"
The hovercraft rose up and away from the black hedgehog, the latter somewhat confused. Why was he asking about Sonic? Was he suggesting Sonic caused this mayhem? It wasn't uncommon Sonic would crash things like this. Perhaps Sonic saw Kintobor as Robotnik and attacked. Shadow certainly had mistaken Kintobor for Robotnik. However, Dr. Kintobor referred to the "attackers" in the plural form. Sonic was only one. Too many things didn't add up. Shadow decided to investigate the dealings of this Dr. Kintobor further, and then decide if he is indeed a friend or foe.
- - - - -
The sun had fully set, and the stars and the moon had already begun their reign over the world below. Despite the noisy start of the evening, things seemed to have quieted down to the normal, sleepy town that this time of day (or night) would bring. There were still a few milling about, or in this instance, running about, but they had good reasons. They were being chased.
Sonic was still carrying the Princess Elise, dodging enemy detection. It was easier said then done; there had been several close calls when encountering patrols, but nothing disastrous had happened...yet. If they stayed in the town for much longer, they were sure to be spotted. Sonic didn't want to be cornered with the Princess. If he was on his own, no sweat, but id he tried spin-dashing with a passenger, he'd ground her into hamburger.
"Elise? Where's the castle?" Sonic said, still striding quickly down back alleys.
Elise perked up slightly, and tried to think. The constant zipping back and forth kind of screwed up her sense of direction. "It should be near the hills, farthest from the bay."
Sonic nodded, letting her know that he understood. He began redirecting his movements away from the bay towards the hills. Elise looked at her rescuer. She never has seen anything or anyone like this person before. Who is this person anyway, and where'd he come from?
"Sonic?" she asked.
"Yeah?" he replied quickly.
"Why are you helping me?"
Sonic glanced at Elise. This was the first time anyone asked him any kind of question, and it kind of caught him off guard. "Uh...no special reason..." Sonic started. "It's what I do best..." Sonic was beginning to feel awkward, but refocused his mind onto what was ahead, and just in time too. Up ahead was one of the city's many canals, and Sonic just jumped it. It wasn't any big deal; at the speeds he was going at, he could go wider...
"Sonic! Watch out!"
Elise's warning caused Sonic to come to a screeching halt. Just in front of him five more of those white robots dropped down in front of him, weapons at the ready. Sonic acted quickly.
"Elise? Stay back!" Sonic let go of Elise, and the latter stood back as Sonic attacked. The hedgehog jumped on top of one robot, launching himself high above the fight. The robots began to fire, but only succeeded in damaging one of their own. Sonic dropped in a spin, crushing one, and dashing into the rest. For new enemies, they sure were flimsy.
Elise watched as the fight barely lasted five seconds. There was more to her rescuer then met the eye...when one could see him that is.
Neither noticed that something was sneaking up behind either of them, and neither noticed until it was too late. Sonic had landed on his feet, looking at the smoldering wreckage of his would-be attackers, when it happened. Elise cried out, startling Sonic. Elise was in the grip of two massive robot arms. Already, they carried her very high...towards the hovercraft that he saw Eggman in! Sonic took two steps, then realized the distance was way too short to gain enough speed to get that high. Darn it!
"This game of tag ends now, Sonic the Hedgehog," the human said. "She is of no concern to you, and even if you do concern, I promise to return her here safe and sound!"
"Oh, yeah? Since when have you ever been able to trust you!?" Sonic shouted back.
"It doesn't matter; you wouldn't be able to rescue her now anyway! Your speed can only do so much..."
Elise was struggling in the iron grip of the machine, but managed to get one arm free...the one holding the talisman! "Sonic!" she cried out. "Take this and run!" Elise threw it towards Sonic, who saw its glow as it came down. Sonic caught it, and looked at it briefly.
Looking back at Elise, he shouted back, "I got it! Don't worry, Elise! I'll rescue you, no matter what! I promise!"
"I know," Elise said quietly, but not too quietly that Sonic didn't catch it.
Dr. Kintobor scowled. He didn't expect this setback, and it would be wasting time and giving the hedgehog an opportunity to rescue Elise. He would have to give up the Jewel of Power for the time being. "Don't think I won't let you get away with taking the Talisman of Fire, hedgehog. In a short time, I shall have all seven! Until then, you can just hold onto it for me, but it won't be long, Sonic!"
The hovercraft, carrying both Elise and Dr. Kintobor rose higher and higher until it was completely swallowed up by the sheer mass of the large ship above. Sonic watched as bottom of it opened up and swallowed up what Sonic saw of the hovercraft. Closing again, it roared slowly towards the mountains, leaving an immense smoke trail in its wake.
Sonic stood on the street alone, watching it leave. He studied the layout of the ship as it continued on through the night, and saw what it was immediately.
"Looks like the doc had time to rebuild another Egg Carrier..." Sonic rubbed his nose with his finger, then looked at the Talisman, then at the jewel more closely within. Double-taking, he saw what it was. He should've known by its heat. It's a Chaos Emerald! Where on earth did Elise get one of the Chaos Emeralds, and why is it viced in a talisman? Did this mean they were still on Möbius, just another continent? He figured he would've heard about this place before now. Even if he did know, it didn't explain the fact there was only one moon. Glaring at the moon as if this whole mess was its fault, he could feel the frustration at being lost in a world that he was practically dumped on by this hunk of rock in his hand.
Another thing was what Eggman called it. Talisman of Fire? What the crap!? He heard of that nickname, but Eggman never called the Emeralds by a nickname, or did Eggman realize it was a Chaos Emerald? Which brought up yet another question! Eggman acted as if he never saw the hedgehog his entire life, or any hedgehog for that matter. What the heck was going on here!?
His train of thought's boiler was about to blow from this line of "unfamiliarities", but was distracted by a very familiar, and even more welcome voice.
"Sonic!"
It was Tails! Sonic spun around towards the source, and saw his little buddy from years back parachuting from above, spinning his two tails. "Tails! Am I glad to see you! You're the first familiar face I've seen in this mess!"
"You and I aren't the only ones either. Knuckles, Shadow and Rouge are here too!" Tails said, as he landed on his feet on the pavement nearby. "Any idea where we are, Sonic?"
Sonic crossed his arms, and shook his head. "No, and it's driving me nuts."
"It was driving Knuckles nuts too. Shadow and him almost had a fight."
Sonic smirked. Knuckles always preferred to talk with his fists.
"Sonic, I saw the Festival and Dr. Eggman, even you trying to save the Princess from him too," Tails said. "You are going to help her, right?"
"Duh, I am!" Sonic said.
"Then I'll help! I have no clue what Eggman wants with the Princess, but it can't be good at all!"
"Well, if he gets the other six, I can keep the seventh one away." Sonic held up the silver talisman.
Tails look confused at first, then saw the resemblance of the jewel in the wings of the talisman. Plus, it was really hot.
"You found one already!? What happened to it?" Tails tapped a finger on the bands of silver.
"More like it was thrown at me. Elise entrusted it to me so Eggman wouldn't have it. And I have no phrackin' clue why it's in this hunk of silver."
"That was smart of her," Tails said. "There's one thing that bugs me. If Eggman warped here with us, how did he get that new Egg Carrier here too? The X-Tornado isn't here, is it?"
"If it is, it wasn't with me," Sonic answered quickly, suddenly missing the X-Tornado and its ability to take on large aircraft. "And another thing, I'm not so sure it's Eggman now..."
"Huh?" Tails perked up. "What do you mean? It sure looked like Eggman."
"That's what I thought, but he acted as if he never knew me, or even saw me ever in his life. I don't get it..."
"Did you hear a name?"
"Nah, I arrived in town just in time to see the Egg Carrier come in. Like I said, it's weird..."
"If he is from a different person, what'll we do?" Tails didn't have an idea how to deal with such a new threat, as he only had one wartime experience against someone else besides Eggman, and that was with the Black Arms.
"Treat him just like Eggman." Sonic grinned his mischievous grin. "We'll go looking for him first thing tomorrow!"
- - - - -
Silver had arrived in town sometime after Dr. Kintobor's assault on the Festival. He wasn't around for Sonic's daring rescue of Princess Elise right under the Doctor's nose, but he did see the hedgehog, soon enough. It was dark near the middle of the night, but there was just enough moonlight and starlight for Silver to see a blue hedgehog, standing in the street, looking after the ship which was beginning to head over the mountains. Yes, he had found him...
"I finally found him...the Iblis Trigger..."
Silver jumped down from his perch of a dome on a bell-tower, and landed on the circlet of bricks around it. He did not look away from his target; soon enough, the future would be renewed.
Just then, Silver stopped. The hedgehog somehow sensed he was not alone. Silver froze, and soon realized that his white color would be easily detected despite the darkness. He leapt back into the shadow cast by the dome, and silently stood still, watching in anxiety. Silver relaxed as what the hedgehog had sensed was someone coming too him. By the looks of it, it was a fox, and he looked younger then Silver. Watching them apparently converse, it seemed that this fox was a friend or familiar acquaintance of the Iblis Trigger. An unexpected complication. He didn't think of the Trigger having any friends, but was this fox a fellow accomplice in destroying Silver's time, or just a harmless standby not realizing what his friend was up to? Silver had no idea how to answer that question immediately. All he could focus on was getting to that hedgehog, and somehow, stop him.
Just then another unexpected complication came along, but this one thrust itself squarely on Silver...more like wrapped its arms in embrace around Silver and crying incoherently.
Silver couldn't hold his balance against his assailant, and promptly fell over on his side. Completely caught by surprise, Silvers struggled physically under his attacker's grip and began crying incoherently for his release. This whole mess soon began to escalate, then his assailant spoke comprehensibly to him for the first time.
"Oh, Sonic! I thought I'd never see you again! I was so scared!"
"What!?" Silver blurted out. "Sonic? Wha--GET OFF ME!!"
"Sonic! Where are we!? When are we!? WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE!?"
"Amy!" cried an even higher voice. "That's not Sonic!"
Silver felt the grip relax some, and he soon found himself looking right into a pair of green eyes and locks of pink hair!
She gasped. "You're not Sonic! Who are you!?"
Silver stuttered incomprehensibly. His attacker, more specifically completely mistaken girl, let go and got to her feet, leaping back, flushing an even deeper shade of pink. "Oh my gosh! I'm sorry, sir! I thought--you look--I saw--I'm so sorry!" The girl covered in face and turned away, clearly completely embarrassed.
Silver scrambled to his feet, tripping over himself in the shock he just had, and looked at his new company. A pink hedgehog dressed in a red dress and matching boots and headband. She appeared to be in her late teens. Accompanying her was an even younger, floppy-eared rabbit, who stared shyly at him as if finding him to be a complete stranger, which was true. With her was this...thing bigger then a bowling ball and flying with little bitty wings. It was blue, had large eyes and was wearing a...bowtie? Who the heck were these people!?
"Who are you!?"
The rabbit spoke, trying to lessen the embarrassing situation. "I'm so sorry, sir! Amy mistook you for someone she's very close to, Sonic the Hedgehog. We saw you in the dark and thought you were him at first and--I'm so sorry! We'll make it up to you!"
Silver relaxed. They weren't enemies...just lost kids (not unlike himself). It was an honest mistake, albeit an embarrassing one.
"Oh, it's all right. Sorry I got a bit angry..."
The pink hedgehog, Amy, uncovered her face. "I can't believe I did it again. I did it to someone else before..."
Silver could honestly feel how that guy felt.
"Don't worry, I'm just..." Silver looked towards where he was watching his target, however, something was amiss. "Huh!? Hey! Where'd he go!?"
His companions looked around, trying to see what this person was looked for. "What? Who!?"
"Darn it! He must've ran off!"
The pink hedgehog suddenly realized; her performance must've disrupted some sort of watch-out. "I'm sorry, but did you miss someone because of me?"
Silver was clearly frustrated. The Iblis Trigger was in his sites, and he looked away once and he was gone already! So close! Silver sighed; he couldn't feel bad. This was a tough assignment, and it was an accident. Turning to the girl, he said, "It's not your fault. I'm pretty sure the guy I'm looking for is still in the city, so I'm sure I can find him again. I'll be seeing--"
"Well, then we'll help!" the girl said, grabbing Silver's hand. "It's my fault and I intend to make it up!"
"W-w-w-what!?" Silver spluttered out. "W-w-wait!"
"Eight eyes are better then two when looking for someone, right?"
"Yes!" said the rabbit and the blue floating thing.
"Now, wait--wait a second!"
"What's your name?"
Silver was about to sputter out another protest, but soon realized this wasn't the kind of girl that couldn't be convinced otherwise out of something. Sighing resignedly and shoulders slumped, he said abruptly. "Silver."
"That's a nice name, Silver!" The girl said, acting almost revoltingly bubbly. "I'm Amy, Amy Rose. And this is Cream..."
"Hi!" said the rabbit.
"And her chao, Cheese!"
"Hi!" said the thing in a very high voice.
Cheese?
"C'mon! Let's go looking for whoever you're looking for, and maybe we'll find Sonic too! He can help too! He's great at finding things..."
Amy pulled Silver along by the arm, showing previously undetected strength, continued to talk as well.
Silver tried again to protest, but failed. "Wait a sec--stop for a--C'mon, will you--!"
Amy seemed deaf now, and continue to talk.
"It's nice to meet you, Silver. Do you know your way around here? Did you see the fireworks? They sure we're pretty..."
Silver could tell right off that this was going to be a long night, a very long night...
- - - - -
A shadow watched as the white hedgehog was tugged off away from the bell tower, towed along by a pink hedgehog, accompanied by her rabbit and chao friends. He didn't envy the hedgehog a single bit. However, the hedgehog's behavior was enough to provoke his curiosity. He found the Iblis Trigger? What on earth is the Iblis Trigger?
Viper had also been dumped with Amy and Cream in this place, but neither detected each other's presence. Viper wished it to remain that way. Despite the present circumstances, the bounty hunter was undisturbed but more curious. He settled into stealth and watched the Festival, the attack of Dr. Kintobor and Sonic's inevitable heroic rescue. He remained on the bell tower, using its excellent vantage point to spy on events. He saw the white hedgehog climb the bell tower and Viper himself hid inside the tower to avoid detection, and was watching this stranger most of all. A circle symbol on his hands and the linings of his bracelets and boot tops were glowing bright blue. His hair, the front of it anyway, reminded the hunter of a cockatoo, a bird with a tuff of feathers on its head. This person seemed to be looking intently for something, but did not disclose what...
That is...until sometime near midnight did the hedgehog see it...or him. The Iblis Trigger. Of that extent, Viper knew nothing about it; he had heard of an Iblis before though. It was a name of a demon of an ancient religion, particularly a free-willed demon. If that definition is merit here, the name "Iblis Trigger" itself suggests that it means "triggering or releasing the free-willed demon." It wasn't comforting just the same, and this person was looking for it. The motive? It was potentially disturbing. He could be looking for it to keep it safe from someone who would use it...or worse, he could be seeking it to use it himself.
Viper patiently waited, and soon, the hedgehog dropped downwards and the bounty hunter had a clear view. However, it was too dark and too far, so Viper whipped out his sniper rifle with sniper's scope and looked through it. The human hissed an expletive. Whatever this character was looking at had disappeared into the night. This mystery would require some field work, and Viper wasn't sure he was up to it on a present lack of budget.
Hoping his communicator worked still, he flicked it on and opened it to all communications on frequency. He had received nothing since the Chaos Controls of the Chaos Emeralds, so he tried sending a message instead.
"Mecha-Bot Two, Shadow the Hedgehog, do you read?"
Static.
"Repeating. Mecha-Bot Two, Shadow the Hedgehog, do you copy?"
More static. Cursing again, he checked to see in signal was successfully sending out anything. It was, but nothing was either receiving it or responding to it. Trying again got the same result. His instinct told him to move away, but his mind told him to wait before moving. He wasn't sure what would happen if he ran into someone in this city, judging by what the hunter was literally carrying on his back.
Suddenly, his communicator vibrated. He opened the communication. "Viper here, over."
"Viper? It's Mecha-Bot Two. Over." The transmission wasn't very clear.
"I assume you're stuck here like the rest of us?"
"Yes, unfortunately. I had repeatedly scanned the area for familiar landmarks, but find none. There are also zero satellites above the atmosphere, or within range of my wireless uplink."
Viper tapped his fingers, annoyed. That complicated things in case they got too far apart.
"Judging by the white noise, you're on the brink of this communicator's range. Can you give me a definite on your location."
"Negative. I do not have map readouts of this region."
Viper guessed it was a dumb question to ask anyway. "Where are you? Can you describe it?"
"A snowy mountainous range. The weather is intolerable for life at a wind-chill of under -20 degrees Centigrade with gusting winds of thirty miles an hour. I...don't know how much I can stand before my systems will drop in temperature."
"Mecha, find a cave and wait it out. I doubt I can find you in our present situation, but it'll increase chances of you surviving. You're no good dead."
"Considering I should be considered alive in the first place."
"Don't get technical, Mecha. That's one good way to piss me off."
"I know." Mecha sounded pretty close to humor.
"There is one mountain range near here, but the odds are of you being there are slim."
"Find me if you can. Have you contacted Shadow?"
"Negative. I'm not even sure he's even in the same world."
Mecha paused. "Come up here then. I have detected lights ahead and judging by my sensors, it's a large base. Perhaps I can find shelter there."
Viper was immediately on the alert for Dr. Kintobor. "Mecha, go in without being spotted. There's another bastard out for some devious purpose here, and I have a suspicion he's currently making residence there. Caution, Mecha."
"Affirmative. Out."
Viper deactivated the communicator, and looked towards the dark mountains on the horizon. It would be well after sunrise when he would reach the foothills...
- - - - -
A little girl waded out into a pool of water, looking down at its crystal-clear surface...rippling, changing... Through this water, she watched the night fall in this world. She watched as refugees from another world were struggling to make sense of the new fates that were thrust upon them. She watched as lies poisoned the minds of the pure-hearted and watched them become potential murderers of potential saviors.
No, this could not be the way time would end. It was all ending wrong! These two times were not supposed to meet! The girl sank to her knees and cried. Her tears shattered the still waters of the pool. Her gift of foresight in this peaceful realm was causing her sorrow, and regretting the inevitable. No, no, no! This could not be the way time would end! There must be a way of warning them! Time can be rewritten, could it? If it could be prevented, then it wouldn't have to end this way! But how? There was a barrier in this realm that kept communication from mortals impossible, but there must be a way!
Tearing herself out of the water, she sprinted towards the shrine of the Holy Stone. The Divine One would help her! It was said that he could hear the tears of the sorrowful, the cries of the agony, and he would be swift to comfort them. Reaching the shrine, she threw herself onto the threshold and cried her hardest on the ground. "Please, Divine One, I can't bear the thought that time will end so terribly! Must so many people simply be wiped away from time itself? It's just not fair for them! I can't bear seeing them go! Please, is there another way?" She continued to lie there, wailing her pain out towards the Divine One. If comfort was coming, she needed it now; her heart was close to breaking that it hurt terribly.
"But Master! Will they realize it in time? Everything seems to be going wrong! They've never done anything like this before!"
She was communicating with the Divine One, but she was the only one speaking. Sighing, she said. "I understand. I know what I must do. They must know..." She wiped away her tears and turned again to the pool, some distance away.
"They will know the truth, and I will help them find it. I must find a way!"
