CHAPTER 18: Shadow and Flame
Elise teetered along the edge of the hovercraft where she now was being held. She tried to keep herself as far away as possible from Dr. Kintobor, but the distance she was looking for was more like the planet's diameter. Just the same, she kept her distance. While the doctor was healthy as the next man, Elise acted as if he had the plague.
Dr. Kintobor, mildly amused at the Princess' behavior, said, "Now now, Your Grace, no need to make such a fuss. Why don't you sit down before you have a nasty fall?"
Elise, who by now was mere inches from the edge, peered over the side, and saw that they were at least a hundred feet above the earth. The doctor was right; if she fell, she'd be dashed into pieces. She didn't want to die, but…she thought about what Dr. Kintobor wanted from her…her power for the Flames of Disaster. She didn't know what he was talking about, but she'd rather die than be the tool to unleash Solaris' wrath. She looked at Dr. Kintobor firmly. "I would rather die be your prisoner again!"
Dr. Kintobor smiled; she had spunk. Did she seriously think that her bluff would move him to let her go? Hold herself as her own hostage? "So, Your Grace, do you plan to jump?"
Elise looked down once again; the ground seemed farther down the before. Her heart fluttered from the dear of dying, but she must protect her people. It was her duty. If that meant destroying herself…then so be it. Breathing deeply, she said, "Goodbye." Then he leaned back and fell off the hovercraft.
Dr. Kintobor was stunned! She actually fell off! Running to the side of the hovercraft, he looked over to see Elise's body fall farther and farther away…to impending doom.
Elise closed her eyes and prepared herself to die. She didn't know how much it would hurt, but it didn't matter. She would save her people. Also, she would see her beloved parents in the face again.
She felt something strike her at her side, and she felt herself being buoyed up by someone's arms. Surprised, she opened her eyes…and looked right into some very familiar green eyes.
"Sonic!" Elise cried out in surprise. Sure enough, Sonic had blazed in and intercepted her fall, saving her from a terrible death.
"I got you!" Sonic breathed.
Elise was elated at being rescued by Sonic again…and it looked like Sonic was happy too…almost relieved.
She heard a voice screaming down expletives and curses from above. Looking up, she saw Dr. Kintobor in her hovercraft about to have a stroke from his own fury. She couldn't help but be amused at his tirade and she laughed.
"Glad to see you smile," Sonic said. Chancing a look back, he saw a regiment of the black-and-white drones advancing on his position. "Looks like the party isn't over yet, but this party is lame."
"How are we going to lose them?" Elise asked.
Sonic cracked a grin. "By jamming through the nearby jungle. Ready?"
Elise smiled again. "Ready."
Sonic took off across the rocky plain and into a nearby jungle. The drones took off after him into the marshlands.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kintobor was fuming. That blasted hedgehog had just interfered with his plans a fourth time! If he could help it, it would be the last time. Somehow, he had to get rid of that hedgehog.
An idea came to him. The Princess was very protective of her country, and had just proven that she was willing to die to protect it from anything. Noble, but easily manipulated. If he directly threatened Soleanna, he could push Elise into submitting. That still left Sonic. Maybe, he could bait him into a trap like he did last time, but a more…deadly one. Dr. Kintobor smiled. Now was the time for drastic action, and only drastic action would do.
- - - - -
Silver and Shadow dropped from a closing portal and to the floor with a loud metal clang, landing in a crouch. Both scoped the immediate area, finding themselves in a long dark hallway, dimly lit with blue-green lights. Silver was somewhat reminded of the hallways of White Acropolis, but in a stark contrast to Kintobor's base, this hallway was carpeted. The walls were lined with intricate designs that reminded Silver of fire and wings. Tapestries lined the bigger walls, telling the past ages of Soleanna in such rich colors. Silver was in awe. What was this place? Some kind of castle?
Shadow had brushed past Silver as he went on his way down the hall, which caught Silver's attention. "Where are we anyway?" Silver asked.
Shadow stopped, but did not turn to Silver. "The subterranean laboratories of Soleanna, underneath the island of Castle Town and the surrounding bay."
"Subterranean?" Silver inquired. "We're underground?"
"Partly," Shadow said, turning to Silver, and then pointed out towards a window, bathed in bluish light.
Silver walked towards it, wondering what Shadow could mean. When he looked out, he understood immediately, although Silver's awe was magnified. He was looking out into the open ocean! He could see schools of fish swimming about outside the window, the rippling sunbeams descend as they pierced the tides of the ocean. It was truly magnificent. "Wow!"
"The base was a leap in Soleannan technology at its time. Sub-oceanic bases were a thing unthought-of, until Dr. Kintobor came to the Royal Guild of Science with his revolutionary technology. With the construction of the base, he became a leading figure in the guild."
Silver stood mesmerized by the underwater beauty of the ocean floor; and just barely heard Shadow's explanation of the base. Still, he had enough focus to ask a question. "What time are we?"
"Just ten years before the time we have just left."
"What happened ten years before?"
"A serious accident," Shadow answered. "Something went wrong with Project Solaris, and after that, the labs were shut down."
"What's Project Solaris?" Silver asked.
Shadow didn't answer right away. "No one knows."
Silver looked inquisitive.
"Time is short," said Shadow suddenly. "Come."
Shadow started walking down determinedly down the hallway. Silver looked on after him for a second, and then followed, jogging to catch up. For several minutes after, the two walked on silently. Soon however, Silver kept sneaking glances at Shadow, as if trying to get a good look at him, but chickening out every time. Shadow caught Silver a couple of times, but Silver quickly looked away, back down the dark hall. This went on for another minute, until Shadow couldn't stand it anymore. "What are you doing?"
He caught Silver off guard, for he stammered quite a bit in surprise. "I, uh, I…well…"
"Yes?" Shadow said, looking at Silver and crossing his arms.
"Uh, well, I was wondering why you look like Mephiles," Silver finally managed to ask.
Shadow narrowed his eyes slightly. "You mean why Mephiles looks like me?"
"Uh…yeah?" Silver said. He missed Shadow's resentment in being compared to something that copied him.
Shadow sniffed slightly. "Mephiles was sealed within the Talisman of Darkness, and when he escaped, he used my shadow to reconstruct his physical form."
Silver looked down. That did make some sense, he supposed. After all, he had been fighting an arch-demon for God only knew how long, so he really shouldn't talk about disregarding strange things.
"My turn," Shadow promptly said. "Why are you working for Mephiles?"
Silver looked back up at Shadow. "Well, after he helped us beat Iblis, he told us about how to truly destroy him. He said the only way to do that was by stopping the person who first released it."
"The Iblis Trigger."
"Yeah."
"Did Mephiles tell you specifically it was Sonic?"
Silver opened his mouth to answer, but hesitated as if he just remembered something. "No, no he didn't. He actually lent us this black gem that and he told us to look into it, and we would see the Iblis Trigger. We saw a blue hedgehog surrounded by flames. When we saw him, he sent us back in time to find him and kill him."
"Hmm," Shadow said as he looked away in thought.
Silver had the impression that Shadow knew something. "What is it?" He asked, curious to hear what Shadow was thinking.
"Well, I know a few things about Mephiles thanks to the Viper, but I have to say, there's a lot of information in it, and it might confuse you."
Silver looked down briefly, and then looked back. "Ok, I understand."
"Very well, then. Viper, Sonic and I first met Mephiles three years ago."
"Sonic knew Mephiles?"
"Yes and no. Mephiles at that time was called Nazo. He changes names as he changes forms. We were investigating a creature that was mauling people in the jungles of Mystic Ruins, but then we met Nazo, a white hedgehog with no real markings. His eyes are how you saw Mephiles' eyes. I was wounded when I fought the creature, and lost my memory, but Viper and Sonic fought both it and Nazo, and destroyed them…or so we thought.
"Viper ran into Mephiles again in a form he called Echelon, a black hedgehog, marked in grey markings. Viper defeated him as well, but nearly killed himself in the process.
"Then Rouge, a companion of mine, and I found Mephiles after he escaped the Talisman of Darkness. Like I said before, he used my shadow to reconstruct himself. I had talked to Mephiles twice over since then, and he seems to know me, but I don't know him. All I can go by is Viper's account."
"And you think Viper is telling the truth?" Silver said.
"Yes," Shadow said. "Viper may be shady, but he would never lie about something like this, especially not after his own encounters with Mephiles."
"So, Mephiles is this Nazo…who is this Echelon…and who is Mephiles." Silver said, processing everything Shadow said. "You're right, that is a lot to take in. But why would Mephiles lie to me?"
"You are desperate to fix your time, and Mephiles is an artist of deception. He can say exactly what he wants in order to manipulate you to do a task for him."
"But what does he want?"
Shadow looked away. "I do not know...but I intend to find out."
Silver looked away as well. So Shadow was as much in the dark as he was. It was frustrating that he couldn't get the answers he needed, but it was also comforting that someone else was looking into the mystery as well as he was. They would be of mutual help to each other.
Shadow's ears perked up. "It seems we are close. Come."
Shadow picked up the pace, and Silver kept up on behind. Another minute they came to a large window that was quite close to the floor. Looking down into it, they could see a small group of students working around a machine that neither hedgehog has seen before. Each scientist was in front of a computer, and they seemed to be working earnestly. Contained in the machinery seemed to be the subject of such earnest study, which, as far as Shadow or Silver could make out, was a bright white light, as if the scientists were studying a star the size of a softball. Bolts of energy kept striking the glass barriers of the container furiously, like a furious thunderstorm. Judging by the earnest actions of the scientists, that wasn't a good thing. One scientist, showing some age, slammed his hands on one console, and seemed to be speaking directly to the light.
"What is that?" Silver asked.
"Project Solaris," Shadow answered, unblinking. Here was what he had been seeking for when he first heard of Solaris, and it was contained in that canister.
"Shadow, look!" Silver pointed down below. "What's that girl doing there!?"
Shadow broke his gaze with the light, and looked to where Silver was pointing. Sure enough, a little girl ran into the room, and stopped right behind the aging scientist whom had been speaking to the light. He turned to her and seemed to recognize her, and when he turned, the light showed some of the girl's features. Silver's and Shadow's eyes widened in recognition.
Suddenly, the light started brightening several candelas quickly. The scientist pounced on the girl like a human shield.
"Get down!" Shadow exclaimed, hurling himself and Silver down to the ground. Two seconds later, a deafening explosion rocked the halls, shattering the glass window. Silver had just enough wit to catch the flying shards with his psychokinesis and hurl them aside. Both hedgehogs lay on the floor for several seconds, and then finally clambered back to their feet as silence regained its rule in the halls.
"What happened?" Silver gasped.
Shadow brushed off his fur as he answered, "The energy within that canister went critical, and it was too much for containment. It's like blowing up a balloon with air. For a while, there is no problem but put too much and it explodes."
Silver understood, and then slowly worked his way back to the blown-out window and peering down into the smoky room. Shadow followed soon after, and not seeing much because of the smoke, he leapt down into the room and landed on the metal floor with a clang from his hover-skates. Silver gazed down a few seconds more, and then followed Shadow.
Shadow inspected the bodies of the scientists, blown against the wall from the force. Close inspection found that the glass from the containment had lanced into their flesh like knifes, and some of the shards were larger then Shadow's spines. He found that some have died instantly as the glass pierced heir vitals. Others were unconscious, but because of the bleeding, they wouldn't regain consciousness. It seems all have perished.
Silver couldn't help but blink in the smoke, but he could still see some things. He felt a little sick checking to see if any of the scientists made it as some wounds exposed the inner-workings, and the smell of blood wasn't helping.
Suddenly, in the center of the room, a bright light emerged again. Silver saw it first and watched it. That star-thing was still there, even after it exploded? How? "Shadow, look!"
"What is it?" Shadow looked up from another corpse, to see Silver pointing at the light. "It's Solaris…"
Silver looked at Shadow. "Who?"
"A transcendent life-form that these people worshipped as a god, but they--" Shadow was cut off as the light suddenly winked out into a black, rocky looking sphere. It looked to be made of hardened lava, as cracks of red seeped through. Just as quickly, the rock fell apart in pieces, melting into a tar like substances, dropping off the machinery. Where the ball one hung, there now burned a small flame, burning furiously.
Silver's eyes dilated in recognition of the flame. "That's Iblis!"
"Yes, for Iblis is one a part of Solaris, the physical part. See that black shadow?"
"Yeah." Silver looked at the black tar, which started smoking with purplish gas.
"That is the original Mephiles."
"That's Mephiles!?" Silver exclaimed.
"Yes. Mephiles and Iblis make up both halves of Solaris. Somehow, this experiment separated them in a catastrophic reaction, like a nuclear bomb."
Silver looked back at them, just in time to see the flame and the shadow leave down two different hallways swiftly. "They're escaping!"
"We must split up!" Shadow said strongly. "I will pursue Mephiles!"
Silver nodded. "Then leave Iblis to me!" Without another word, Silver took off down the hallway the flame breezed down.
Shadow took a few steps after Mephiles, when suddenly he heard a voice.
"Wait!"
Shadow spun around to face the source of the voice. It was one of the scientists, the older one that had pounced on the girl. Shadow had inspected him earlier. He had been unconscious, but his back was lanced with small glass chips, and was bleeding in many spots like a whipping victim.
"Seal the Shadow with this!" The man cried out, his voice crackling from blood oozing into his lungs. He labouringly reached out with his hand to Shadow, and enclosed in the hand was a silver talisman with a black jewel wrapped in the wings of it. The Talisman of Darkness!
Shadow looked at the scientist briefly, and then nodded as he took the Talisman out of the scientists hands and swiftly breezed down the hallway after Mephiles.
- - - - -
Espio the Chameleon dropped into a dark hallway, his colors matching the environment nearly perfect. Over the years, Espio had been fine-tuning his stealth skills, and his ninjitsu training had amplified this. Now as long as he wasn't in actual sunlight or strong moonlight to cast a shadow, he was virtually undetectable.
Espio pulled something out of his belt that looked like a large-value poker chip. Pressing on one end of it, displayed a hologram from its surface, and this hologram was a 3D rendering of the cartographs taken from the blueprints of the subterranean Soleanna labs. Espio had to smile; Mighty did a good job reverse-programming Dr. Kinotobor's hologram chip.
Espio's wrist communicator buzzed. Espio held it to his mouth. "Yes?"
"Are you in?" It was Vector.
"Yes. Sure enough, there is an entrance from the sanctum of the castle that leads into the old labs. Doesn't look like anybody's been down here for a long time."
"Well, that should make things easy."
"Maybe. This place is huge, and deep. Also, since it's been ten years, nothing may be working."
"It's our best chance, Espio," Vector said.
"I know it," Espio said with slight distaste. "If I find anything, I'll let you know. But in case there is someone down here, don't give me a buzz in case I'm in a sensitive situation."
"Roger." With that, the communicator clicked, the connection broken. Espio looked at the holo-map again then turned it off. The layout of the base was simple, so getting lost wasn't a problem. It was just massive. Still, Espio wasn't worried. If the details of this project was kept top-secret even ten years before, then naturally, the secrets would be kept in the depths of the labs, which was four levels down. Time to play gumshoe...
Espio worked his way through the dark hallways, still blending in with the walls and floor, although he was wondering mildly if he should revert back to his default hot pink color. After all, if place truly was abandoned, then there was no longer any need to hide considering that whom he had been hiding from are the people that dwelt in above castle. Now that he was beyond that, there was no reason to hide. Still, something was pricking him to stay hidden. Being not one to second guess his own instincts, he remained camouflaged.
He looked briefly in each room as he passed by, seeing desks, papers and boxes containing who knows what. His brain began to picture what this place might have looked like during operation. He could see in his mind young interns running up and down the halls on various errands, scientists sitting in their respective offices arranging their timetables to prepare for the next experiment in their research, it truly must have been a sight to behold. Espio wasn't one for science at all. Mighty was the most scientific of the team, but that amounted to nothing more than a modest knowledge of engineering, so this would have likely been way over his head. Although, he still might have been interested in it, that egghead, Espio smiled as he thought.
He stopped in front of an open elevator shaft, and studied it briefly. Whipping out the holo-chip again, he brought up the map of the laboratories again. Sure enough, several elevator shafts and stairwells connected each floor to each other, as he figured there would be. Peering into the elevator, he could see that the elevator was shut down as it was on the ground level apparently. Espio then looked at the cables that the elevator hung from. Even in the dark, Espio could see that despite the use they likely would have had in a busy laboratory as this was, they still appeared very strong. Espio looked at the holo-map again. He could take the safe way by descending the stairwells...or he could mix things up a little by sliding down the elevator cables. If this elevator was like any other elevator, then there would be an emergency hatch on the top of the elevator. He could climb through that and force his way through the elevator door. Sure, he wasn't Mighty, but he was sure he could do it. And, heck, if all else failed...take the stairs.
Espio leaped out and grasped the cable. Being a chameleon, he was blessed with excellent grip, and if given the time, he could crawl up and down walls without fear of fallen, but he had to move at a slow pace to do this. Here, the grip served him well. As he remained hanging on the slippery cable, he steadied himself until the cable stopped swaying. He could hear the other end of the cable where it was fastened clang against its anchor, protesting at each clang from its confinement. Espio felt that was a little too loud for his liking. Being a chameleon, secrecy and stealth were his forte, and a part of him. Loud noises betrayed his location, and it made him uneasy. The noise quickly subsided, and when Espio was satisfied with the resulting silence, he slid down the cable with a quiet swishing noise.
As he descended, he monitored his surroundings. Despite that the noise was rather quiet; it still reverberated against the shaft walls and up and down the shaft. Stopping and starting, he could tell by the reverberations roughly how close he was to the bottom. As he descended, the reverberations intensified more overhead then below, signaling that he was closer to the bottom.
After a few minutes, he finally hit the bottom. He barely made noise as his rubber-soled shoes made nearly no noise on the metal roof of the elevator cab. Espio automatically started looking around for the emergency hatch that should be on the top of the elevator. Despite having sharp eyes, he couldn't pierce the near pitch black darkness of the shaft. Thankfully, he didn't come unprepared. Preaching into a pocket of his belt, he pulled out a miniature LED flashlight. Although not much bigger then a pen, the light shown out a bright white beam of light that illuminated anything caught in its rays with sharp contrast, and Espio made good use of it.
As he searched for the hatch, Espio was slowly becoming aware of a strange low humming sound. It was so faint that Espio at first did not hear it, but as he continued to search, he started to hear it faintly, and at first thought it was just the silence messing with his head. After all, absolute silence is ironically deafening. He quickly located the hatch, and proceeded to open it, but the hum through the walls was starting to get to him. What is that noise? Standing up from the hatch, he worked his way to the shaft wall. He pressed his ear against the cold metal walls in an attempt to obtain any clue on what this new sound was, and thus he waited and listened. For several minutes, he stood unmoving against the wall, listening to the gentle humming against the wall. There was no change in its pitch, intensity or clarity; it remained a constant harmonic hum. He could feel the vibrations drumming against the wall, and that surprised him. Would a sound this quiet make vibrations like that? In the very least, this new development was interesting, if not disturbing.
Espio silently worked his way back to the hatch and climbed down into it, his mind cooking up dozens of explanations for the humming and the vibrations. No significant one gave him any comfort. Looking the elevator doors up and down, he mildly wondered how to quietly open an elevator door. Experimentally, he slid his fingers into the small space between the sliding doors and attempted to pry them open. He knew he would fail, so it didn't bother him when he could not budge them. Still, there was the question of getting through the door. Must he climb all the way back up and take the stairs?
As he thought, he looked around the dark, dimly lit cabin. Then it struck him. Why is the cabin dimly lit? He immediately sought out the light source and found it quickly: the lights that showed the controls of the elevator. The elevator still had power! Espio couldn't help feeling lucky as he had just descended a working elevator shaft. Anytime, he could have been crushed when the elevator ascended. His heart racing from the sudden shot of adrenalin, he examined the controls closely. It wasn't that different than any other elevator: buttons for each floor, manual close and open buttons, emergency phone system—Espio couldn't help but grin at that; the idea of ringing for aid to open a door in an abandoned elevator cabin was amusing—emergency break—Espio stopped at the emergency break, finding that a little red light was lit. Espio blinked at it. Red light usually meant it was active, but most elevators had a bell that would ring, profoundly proclaiming the malfunction, but it was silent. Espio shrugged; if it was this way for nearly ten years, the bell probably broke. He shifted his gaze back to the emergency stop button. If the power was still on…could he make the elevator move again? Hesitating a few moments more, he pressed the button.
The elevator lurched and creaked like an elderly man's bones, but soon righted itself and began to slowly descend. Espio was surprised that the elevator still worked after ten years. Someone knew what he was doing when he built this…
A few seconds later, the elevator reached its destination, and Espio saw it was the bottom floor of the laboratories. Well, that makes things easier, Espio thought to himself. He noted that the hum was now louder, and there was a distinct thumping noise like something was hard at work. Espio soon felt anxious about this place. For something supposed to be abandoned, it felt busy.
The door suddenly opened, and Espio instinctively faded into the environment. Exiting the elevator, he looked around and his suspicions were confirmed. The hallways were lit and robots were lumbering down the hallway in spurts. This laboratory wasn't only active…but he knew who was running it.
Espio sneaked through the hallways, looking for a room where he could hide and relay a message back to the rest of the Chaotix. He needed to warn them, and fast! After several minutes of stopping and starting down the maze of hallways, he found a room that was unoccupied for the time being. Not hesitating, he slipped inside, checking to make sure no robots were around to see the door open "on its own." The room was dark, but he could hear machinery running in the room. The only light was from lights on various computer console, but in the middle, there was mounted on one console a pedestal . Espio looked at it for a long time, shocked to see what it was.
The pedestal was encased in glass like a museum display, and encased in it was a silver talisman, decorated with intricate designs of eagle wings. Two large wings were one of its two dominant features; the other was wrapped inside the wings: a purple gem glowing hotly in the darkness. I don't believe it! Espio thought. It's one of the eight Talismans of Essense! The Chaotix had stumbled upon an account on the history of Soleanna, and the religious dogma surrounding the world's creation.
Espio whipped out of his belt a glass-cutter. Being a ninja, non-conventional entrances were just part of the game. He started working on the surface of the grass, hoping that it wasn't alarm protected. It didn't appear to be since no alarms were going off, but that didn't forgo silent alarms. Slowly and feverishly, he cut through the thin glass. After a few minutes, he cut a large rectangular cut into the glass. Pushing it on the bottom, it gave inwards, while the top gave outwards. Espio gripped the top and removed the glass pane from the glass covering. Now, the Talisman was free for the taking.
Espio tucked the Talisman into his belt, and then gazed at the computers. Could he try to find Project Solaris in this computer? Suddenly, he remembered why he came into this room in the first place. He held the communicator to his mouth. "Vector? Anyone? It's Espio."
The response came back fuzzy; the growing distance underground must be breaking up the signal. "This is Vector. You find something already?"
"Yeah, but it's not something you want to hear…"
"What is it?"
"This base is NOT abandoned."
"What!?"
"Yeah. The bottom levels are still working, and that's not all. This is Dr. Kintobor's base!"
"What!?"
"Yes!" Espio hissed, trying to control his volume. "By the look of things, he's been down here for quite some time."
"But why there?" Vector inquired. "We ran into Knuckles while you were down there, and he told us about the base in White Acropolis in the mountains! He also told us about a Solaris prototype."
"A prototype?" Espio asked in astonishment and excitement. Finally, a lead!
"Yeah, Knux, Sonic and Tails were the first to try it out, although I doubt they volunteered, if you know what I mean. Anyway, it propelled them two-hundred years into the future!"
"A time machine?"
"Totally," Vector said. "Looks like you won't need to find the info after all."
"A project about time-travel. Nice…" Espio said.
"Oh, and one more thing. Knuckles has the hunch that Kintobor won't be able to get a decent one working unless he gets the Talismans of Essence."
Espio looked at the Talisman of Lightning he now bore. Well, this might slow him down a bit… "All right, I'm heading back to the surface. Wait for me."
"No prob, but make it snappy. We need to find Sonic and let him know ASAP!"
- - - - -
The dark shadow crept through the halls, seeking out an escape. It felt this world around it as it crawled and drifted, and it hated every single molecule of it. He wanted to see this world dissolve away into nothingness. It came from nothingness, it WAS nothingness. But nothingness was eternal, incomparable, peaceful…this world of rock and stone and what else was trapping it, encasing it. Those needle-men had trapped it, pricked it, forcing it to submit. Submit! It knew nothing of submission! In nothingness, it was god! This world of substance and walls and limits will melt away! Its own body was ripped from it by that damned needle-men! It was HIS and no one else's! But soon, it will reunite with its body, and then it would return this evil world of boundaries back into the glory of nothingness!
"Chaos Control!" shouted a voice behind it. It tried to see who this new invader was. Another needle-man, no doubt, trying to capture it, but no, it can't…
Wait! It was frozen! No! It was trapped in something invisible! Damn this world and its cages! There was no end to this suffering! It cried out in a voice that was its own. "Stop! Release me at once!"
"You're hardly in a position to make demands, Mephiles," said the oily voice.
Mephiles. Is that what these foolish beings branded it with? It had no brand, for it is nothingness! "Who are you, foolish being!?"
The voice sniffed. "I'm Shadow, Shadow the Hedgehog!" Shortly thereafter, it felt a pull, being pulled into something that would bind it in a very small place.
"No! Stop!" It cried out, but this "Shadow" would not relent. Shadow. He will be the first." Shadow," it replied. "I will remember your brand. Your being. Your voice. I will remember it all. You…and this world of boundaries and things…will be wiped away…You…will…die!"
- - - - -
The last of the shadow was absorbed into the Talisman of Darkness. Shadow looked at it as it drifted back down. As part of the sealing, Shadow had lifted it into the air and released it. The black shadow form that would become Mephiles was being absorbed and sealed into the facets of the gem.
Shadow grabbed the Talisman, and looked it over, digesting what just had been done. Viper had informed him of his theory regarding the connection between these Talismans and the Chaos Emeralds. If it was true, Shadow had just sent Mephiles through the gate and to Möbius, where it would soon escape from the Black Chaos Emerald which would lead to Shadow's and Viper's suffering. The temptation to destroy this Talisman here ten years ago was strong and welcoming, to prevent those ever happening. Viper needn't have been corrupted, and Shadow needn't have had a total mind-wipe, and Mephiles would never exist…and yet…
Shadow reflected again. Yes, he lost his memory and hadn't gotten it completely back, but he trusted his friends; Mecha, Viper, Rouge, Omega. They'd never lie to him; they never sought to manipulate him to do what they wanted. Mecha did of course, but he repented. Plus, that rival of his, Sonic, despite his constant head-butting with that hedgehog, Sonic tried to help him, and his story matched his friends'. Viper too had suffered, nearly perished—even by Shadow's own hand—but he showed no regret. Then there was the Black Arm invasion. Even without Mephiles' involvement, the Black Arms would come anyway…and because the future is never certain, it wouldn't be certain that Möbius would have emerged victorious. But they did last time…for certain victory.
Shadow's resolution hardened. No, time must not be altered. Despite the pain that was caused by his action here in "sealing" Mephiles, it was worth it. Yes, Mephiles would escape in Mobius, and yes, Mephiles would break the seal on this Talisman, but it doesn't matter. Shadow knew what he was because of his friends, despite that he didn't remember a thing about it. He was content with that, and if he regained his memory down the road, it wouldn't be by his doing. Therefore, not only was altering the past far too risky, but in the end, it would lead to the same result. He might as well continue down the trail that was laid before him.
Laid before him…interesting choice of words. That suggested someone was showing him the steps. Reflecting back on the past several years, he could easily say the same for anything that went along his way. It seemed that when things were ready for him, they were ready right at the time he needed them most. These circumstances repeated themselves multiple times. That can't have been all coincidence. Hmm…maybe Rouge is wrong too...
- - - - -
Silver quickly raced down the hall, chasing a swift flame. It was fast, but Silver could keep up. He didn't have Shadow's nor Sonic's speed, but his will would not let him slow down. He must catch Iblis! Iblis was trying to escape this place, and Silver would rather die then let that happen.
Before Silver knew it, he came upon another laboratory with a stone altar in the middle...and no exit. Iblis too realized this, and quickly turned around to double-back. But Silver was too fast for Iblis. Throwing out a hand and concentrating, he created a psychic boundary around the living flame, encasing it in a blue-green bubble that only Silver could manipulate. This upset Iblis, and he writhed and twisted in a torturous fury. Silver was shocked; Iblis despite not having a physical form now was still very strong. It took all of Silver's concentration to keep the barrier intact.
Iblis was not giving up however, and attacked the barrier with a fury unmatched. Silver never saw Iblis this angry, and it unnerved him. Unconsciously, he had thrown out his other arm, as if the orb was heavy and he was holding up physically. He was concentrating so hard that his vision was started to fade into white on the edges. If he didn't do something quick, Iblis would escape! But what can he do!?
His instincts suddenly screamed that somebody was behind him, and he cast a glance behind. It was one of the scientists, the older one that pounced on the little girl! And he was carrying that same girl, now unconscious.
"What are you doing here!?" Silver exclaimed. "Get out of here, before it's too late!" Silver looked back at Iblis. He could feel a bead of sweat form on his snout.
"No," said the scientist. His voice, although weakened by loss of blood and the trauma, still held a royal power. "I have my duty. This Living Flame was entrusted to the Royal Family centuries ago. We are the guardians of this Flame. If I leave, the Flames of Disaster will surely happen, despite your best efforts."
"I can handle this!" Silver said, although he was quickly believing the contrary.
"I appreciate your wanting to help, but this task is for me to do." The scientist walked towards the altar, and place the unconscious girl on it. "Keep the Flame contained so I can proceed."
Silver was about to command him to leave, but bit his lip. He could see there was no swaying this man, plus he was also morbidly curious to see what he would do.
The scientist pulled out an object from the front pockets of his lab-coat. From where Silver was standing, he couldn't see it since the scientist's back was to him. The scientist lifted it into the air, and it floated away from him, spinning slowly. Silver recognized it immediately: one of those Talismans!
The scientist began to speak. "Eternal Sun...the Living Flame that has been entrusted to the Royal Family of Soleanna...Fall into slumber in a royal soul!" The scientist raised his hands, although because of the wounds in his back, they started seeping fresh blood as the clots reopened.
The Talisman grew hotly red, and right through Silver's containment, Iblis flew straight into it, the flames licking the talisman's form tortuously. Quickly, Iblis was contained inside. Silver released his power, and thought it was finally over, when suddenly, a beam of red light shot down from the pommel of the Talisman, and shot right into the girls' heart. The girl stirred slightly from the beam's work, but still remained unconscious. The bean continued to pour into the little girl for a few more seconds until it finally shut off. The scientist slumped onto the altar, exhausted. Silver watched as gravity took over the Talisman and free-fell. Thinking quickly, he grabbed the Talisman with his power and gently laid it on the altar.
Silver watched as the scientist tried to stand back up, but was failing. Silver rushed to his side and tried to get him up, but the scientist shook him off. "It's too late for me, young one. I am near my passing." Silver looked at him, suddenly pitying him. This man was dying from that explosion, and there was nothing he could do.
The scientist looked into Silver's eyes. Silver could tell that he lost too much blood as his face was pale, and his eyes sickly. "I am sorry, young one...but will you grant me one last request?"
Silver looked back into the scientist's eyes, and he suddenly felt very sad. "Name it," said Silver.
"Please...take my daughter...back to the surface. I prefer to not have her wake up in this place. Take her to a safe place."
Silver had to heave a sigh before answering. "I will."
"Bless you, child," said the scientist. "But give me one moment with my daughter."
Silver nodded, his eyes suddenly wet.
The scientist leaned upon the altar, and slowly stroke the auburn hair of the little girl. Silver watched in silence, and his heart ached for the little girl. Silver had lost his parents to Iblis...and now she would lose her father...and in a sense, the same way.
The man spoke slowly, somewhat labouringly. "My dear daughter...you would make your mother so proud of you...Remember...be strong...be brave...and don't cry...no matter what happens. Otherwise...your tears will summon the flames that rest within you...so...become a strong queen...and...live...happily..." The man gave one last gasped, then slumped forward onto the altar, and started to slide off.
Silver caught him as he fell. He eased him to the ground. What struck Silver the hardest was the man's face. It was a look of peace. It was enough to move Silver's heart. A tear ran unchecked down his cheek. He had seen death before, but this was different. This man was content with death. Silver somehow was reminded of the place he was brought to twice before. What did that girl call it? The Promised Land?
Silver blinked away more tears, and something swelled up in his heart to say a blessing on the dead father. "Divine One, please take this poor man into your care. Let him feel no more pain, no more sickness, no more sorrow..."
The room suddenly shown white around him. Silver looked around, his eyes still rimming with tears. Was it his imagination or did he hear a faint voice of a choir? Suddenly, before him, the girl showed up again. Her hands were folded before her, and she had her eyes closed. Silver saw her mouth move, but no words came out.
The corpse of the father stirred slightly, causing Silver to jump. Was he coming back to life? Suddenly, out of the father's chest came a bluish light. It hovered above the body, now still, and burned like a flame. Silver stared into it for quite some time; what was it, and why did it feel alive? Not like Iblis...but...human?
Suddenly, the blue flame shot upwards, gaining speed and soon vanished from sight. Silver had watched it go, and then he looked back at the girl. She had now opened her eyes and looked earnestly at Silver. Her eyes were filled with thankfulness. "Thank you for blessing that poor man."
Silver felt a fresh lump in his throat, and he had to swallow before answering. "Why did he have to die like that?"
The girl closed her eyes again, and looked slightly downcast. "Such are the ways of the Shadow World."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Silver asked.
"The Shadow World is corrupted. The Divine One's own handiwork. The Divine One grants life. When corrupted, it only deals death. One way or another."
Silver found that depressing, but didn't have an answer.
"The poor man mistakenly set off the chain of events that would have completely surrendered the world to the evil one. The being, Solaris, that he and his people worship is an evil one."
Silver's mind flashed to the experiment with Solaris that ended up destroying the scientists, and creating Iblis and Mephiles. "Yeah, I saw. But doesn't that mean that this man committed evil for worshiping that demon?"
The girl's eyes flew open so fast that Silver practically felt them. "No! Solaris is of such an evil nature that no one can do good for him!"
Silver gulped. "I'm sorry...I didn't know..."
The girl heaved a sigh. "I should apologize. I shouldn't have gotten testy. Let me explain. The Divine One and the Evil One are so opposite of each other, that absolutely no one can perform a good deed under the name of Solaris. If he does, it's under the Divine One had he sworn. If someone commits evil under the name of the Divine One, it is for the Evil One he did swear. The same for the Evil One's servants, like Solaris."
Silver felt a cold chill run down his back. "You mean there are more like Solaris out there?"
"Yes, many more. When the corruption first entered the Shadow World, the Evil One sent his best generals to corrupt each planet with his malice. Some roam the earth remaining invisible, continually spreading the corrupting actively by striking directly for the souls of man and beast-kind. Others, like Solaris, slumber, but when awakened they unleash their evil destroying the world. Either way, they perform their duty with abominable relish. The world Sonic and his friends come from don't even know what slumbers underneath the ground of their world."
"Then he must be warned! Solaris nearly destroyed his world this time, and will later because of Iblis! I want to save my world, but I don't want another going too!" Silver pleaded.
"Don't worry," the girl said. "They will be warned, but not by you."
Silver heaved a sigh. He had knowledge that could save Sonic's world, and he was bidden to keep silent. It just isn't fair.
"But I feel you have another question, Silver," the girl asked.
Silver looked up, and then looked back down. "Sonic isn't the Iblis Trigger, is he?"
"No," the girl answered quickly. "But surely you knew this. You knew it in your heart, especially after seeing Mephiles for what he really is."
"But who?" Silver asked.
"I haven't been bidden to answer you directly..." The girl said. "I'm sorry...but he is closer then you realize. Help Sonic, for he is the one who can stop him."
"How?" Silver asked.
"You know when the time comes..."
Suddenly, Silver was back in the lab with the dead father and the unconscious girl. She still lay still upon the altar. Silver looked around, rubbing his head. "Was it another dream?" Silver thought aloud to himself. "I don't think so; it felt so real..." Silver looked upwards, imagining the sky being there. "Help Sonic, huh? Well...I'll try...if he'll let me." Silver looked at the girl. "But I still have one thing to do, because I promised."
- - - - -
Sonic and Elise were taking a little break. Elise lay rested against a tree, and felt happy. Now that she had escaped from Dr. Kintobor thanks to Sonic, she felt free as a bird. Sonic was on the lookout for their pursuers, but there wasn't no sight nor sound of the robot drones. "Heh," Sonic exhaled. "Looks like we lost them. That was a little too easy."
"You sound disappointed, Sonic," Elise said, somewhat teasing.
"Heck yes!" Sonic replied smugly. "I was expecting some epic chase through the trees, across the swamps, swinging on vines, surfing down the rapids, all that jazz, and this was all I get? Geez, Kinty. You're no fun at all! At least Eggman had SOME sport."
Elise laughed. "Laughing at danger, I see..."
"Hey," Sonic shrugged. "It's me!"
Elise laughed.
"Speaking of which, that was one gutsy move you pulled off back there," Sonic said. "You would have died."
"I know," Elise said. "but I just had to get away. If he got the secrets of the Flames of Disaster from me, my people would be doomed."
"But you don't even know what it is," Sonic reasoned. "He can't steal something from you if you don't even have it."
"I know," Elise said, sighing. "but every time I'm around him, I get the awful feeling that he knows something about me that I don't."
"How would he know that?" Sonic asked, a feeling of curiosity growing inside him like a weed.
"I'm not sure, but I have a strange feeling that it involves Project Solaris."
"I've been hearing about that a lot lately," Sonic cut in. "What is it exactly?"
Elise hesitated. "I'm not supposed to tell you technically, but I'm afraid it won't stay much of a secret much longer, because of Kintobor. It was a project led by the Science Guild, where the kingdom's top scientists were brought together any time there was a great project for the kingdom's benefit that required the best minds the kingdom could offer. My father, was a smart man, and a great scientist. If I recall correctly, Dr. Kintobor was also a leading figure of it."
"Well, that explains a lot," Sonic cut in again.
"It might," Elise continued. "Using the power that Solaris lent us, they decided to construct a machine that could enable us to travel to the past and future."
Things began to click in Sonic's mind. "So, when Kintobor said that machine that he used on me, Tails and Knux was a Solaris prototype, it was that time machine that your dad helped make!"
"Or based on the one the Guild was going to build," Elise corrected. "As far as I know, none was constructed."
"Why not?"
Elise had to breathe; she was getting in uncomfortable territory, and Sonic could tell. "One day, the experiment went very wrong. I was only six years old at the time, but I kept feeling in my heart that something was very wrong. Distressed, I ran to my father, who was working in the secret labs on the experiment. When I arrived, something happened, and there was a huge explosion. All I remember is the explosion, and the next thing I knew was waking up outside against a tree. Laying beside me were two of the Talismans of Essence, Fire and Darkness. That's all I know...it wasn't until the Chancellor and the Steward found me and later told me what happened did I know." Elise heaved a sigh, trying to resist the sadness that came from not being able to properly mourn for your father.
"You mean you don't even remember how you got out?"
"No," Elise said, thankful for the slight change of subject. "Although...I get these flashes of a white hedgehog carrying me out. There was also a black hedgehog, but my mind might have been playing tricks on me." For once, Sonic didn't answer. Elise noticed this. "Sonic?"
Sonic didn't respond, for he was suddenly distracted. Now turned away from Elise, he began to think. One white hedgehog and a black hedgehog? Silver and Shadow maybe? Sonic was about to banish the thought, but it was so screwball that it just might make sense. But how? The accident was supposed to happen ten years ago. Ten years ago, Shadow was still stuck inside a pod deep inside Prison Island, and Silver obviously never existed back then...although the punk probably time-traveled. Did Shadow time travel as well? Maybe somehow they tangled with Kintobor in White Acropolis. Now that was a thought Sonic banished. Sonic left Shadow and Silver behind less then an hour ago, and White Acropolis was far into the mountains. Even at top speed, making it there in less then and hour for Sonic was pushing it, same for Shadow...unless he teleported. But that would mean Silver had to have teleported as well. Sonic could just explain it by saying that Elise was having a dream that just happened to have two hedgehogs, one black and one white...but that was a pretty big coincidence...
"Sonic?" Elise asked again.
Sonic snapped out of it. "What?"
"You kind of spaced out on me..."
"Did I? Geez, sorry. Was thinking about what to do next..." Sonic lied. He felt bad for lying, but what he was thinking didn't even make sense to him, let alone would it for Elise. "We should get you back to the castle..."
"All right," Elise said.
Sonic was quick to pick up a ring of gloom in her voice, and he looked at Elise concernedly. Sonic picked up Elise and began running through the beaten trails of the jungle. As he ran, Sonic looked around. These trees were very familiar, and if he wasn't mistaken...yeah, this must be right. Suddenly, Sonic took a hard right.
Elise obviously noticed the change in trajectory. "Sonic?"
Sonic again didn't answer. He kept going at a steady pace. The trees started to clear, and before they knew it, they broke out of the jungle. Elise couldn't believe her eyes. They had reached a lake, still as a mirror and just as clear. Near the shore was a great magnolia tree, the flowers in full bloom. Some of the older blossoms were already shedding their petals, sending down a rain of flower petals. Under the crisp and gentle sun, this place was as close to as being heavenly as any place on earth would.
Sonic let Elise down, and she looked around, her eyes dazzled at the beauty. "Oh my goodness! I've never seen anything so beautiful in all my life! How did you know about this, Sonic?"
Sonic chuckled. "Purely by accident. When I first came to this world, I woke up here. One thing I never do is forget a place. I've been everywhere on my homeworld and I never forgot a single place I visited. Who needs cameras when you got me?"
Elise laughed, both at Sonic's glib remark and just in the love of this place. "You really do know the great place of the world, in all your travels."
Sonic brushed his nose with his hand, and turned away from Elise, looking around at the beautiful landscape on his own. "Yeah, you can say that..."
Elise looked at the flowers again, raining down onto the ground and into the lake. Suddenly, she said, "When you finally beat Dr. Kintobor, you'll find a way back to your homeworld...right?"
Sonic blinked. He could tell in the tone of her voice that she had this on her mind for quite some time, and was just now asking it. He knew the answer wasn't going to help her much...but he lied enough to her today. Sonic turned back to Elise, and gave a nod.
Elise did something that surprised him. She smiled. "I know that I've been through a lot of danger these past few days, as have you, but despite all the dangers we've been through in this great adventure, I can honestly say...I enjoyed it!"
Sonic couldn't help but grin. "You mean you had fun getting captured?"
Elise laughed, "No, silly hedgehog."
"Yeah, I know. I know what you mean."
"This adventure enabled me to be something that I lived most of my life not being. For the last ten years, I've been a Princess, but in the last few days, I got to be a girl!"
Now it was Sonic's turn to laugh. "Heh heh, is that so? Wow, you make it sound that being a Princess is no bed of roses, so to speak." Sonic gestured to the flower petals thickly covering the ground.
Elise laughed again. "It isn't sometimes, but I love Soleanna, and all her citizens. They are always so happy, and it makes me happy to see them be happy, so I love serving them how I can...the same love that my mother and father had." Elise stared into the sky, obviously reflecting. After some time, she looked back at Sonic. "Sonic, when comes the time that you must depart back to your world, please...remember this place, and us being here."
Sonic flashed a thumbs up. "Definitely. This place is definitely on my top-ten list, just to let you know."
Elise was grateful...when suddenly, she felt sad. Quickly, she turned away with a gasp.
Sonic noticed. "Elise?"
"I'm fine..." Elise said, although there was a slight quiver in her voice. No, I mustn't cry...I can't...I promised...I can't... She could feel wetness in her eye. Quickly, she turned and grasped Sonic in a hug.
"Whoa, Elise!" Sonic was taken aback. "It'll be okay. Smile!"
Elise heaved a big sigh, then let go of Sonic. She managed to not cry, and for that, she smiled.
Sonic was oblivious to her close call. "See, that's better. Who knows? It may be a long time before that happens." Sonic sincerely hoped not, but he wanted Elise to feel better. "Now, why don't we head back to the castle. This time, I'll personally escort you."
Elise smiled more. Her fears quickly evaporated into the wind. "Ok, my knight in shining armor."
"Knight of the Wind, if you please," Sonic said, gratutiously cordially.
"Ok, Sonic, Knight of the Wind, will you escort your Princess back to her castle?"
Sonic hammed up a bow. "Why, yes, my dear Princess. Shall we be off?"
"Lets," Elise smiled. Sonic was always quick to find a way to make her smile.
"Hey, speaking of which," Sonic said. "Did you happen to run into a pink hedgehog in a red dress?"
Both Elise and Sonic continued down the path through the jungle again, talking about this and that to pass the time to get back to Soleanna, all thoughts of Dr. Kintobor and other junk tossed into the lake they just left.
- - - - -
Shadow was already waiting at the surface, grasping the Talisman of Darkness. He had discovered quite by accident a service tunnel that lead out into the forests near Kingdom Valley, no less covered in moss and stone as it is in the present. Shadow left markings to let Silver know which was he ended up going, and he hoped Silver would catch them. Silver, while naïve, was a bright kid.
Shadow sensed movement in the tunnel behind him. Looking into it, he saw the growing visible form of Silver, carrying in his arms a little girl, and a Talisman carrying a red gem was resting on her chest. Hmm, maybe he under-credited this kid...
When Silver emerged from the tunnel carrying the girl, he saw Shadow immediately. "I got your note..." Silver said, attempting at humor.
"Hmph," Shadow sniffed, then asked. "Is it done?"
Silver looked at the girl. "Yes, Iblis has been properly sealed. It's done..."
"For now," Shadow finished. "We must go now."
Silver lowered the girl so her back rested against a gently leaning tree. Taking up the Talisman of Fire, he joined Shadow, still bearing the Talisman of Darkness. Shadow gave a subtle nod. That was Silver's cue. Together, they rose their respective Talismans in the air together, and said "Chaos Control!" in unison.
Shadow and Silver watched as a portal opens up a short distance away from them. Silver was about to leap in and return back to the time they came from, but he is distracted by Shadow. Shadow in turn placed the Talisman of Darkness beside her. Silver asked, "You're going to leave it here?"
"Yes," Shadow replied. "I already know what becomes of it in the future. Under no circumstances should one change the past in order to create a better future. History only exists to learn from, not to be re-written on the whim of a remorseful soul. Changing the past only brings on more suffering, for time is not a science. It chooses to do what it will do, and no one can change that."
Silver looked at Shadow. Some people might have taken that as just a reason, but to Silver, it was a lecture. Shadow was telling him that going back into the past to fix the future was an exercise in futility, and that only a fool would try. Silver was obliged to feel insulted, but lately, he began to see the wisdom behind some of the things told to him. "I understand," Silver finally said.
"Good, then you know what to do." Shadow turned away from him and leaped into the portal.
Silver looked at the little girl, and noticed that she stirred some. She was on the verge of regaining consciousness. Silver looked back at the Talisman of Fire in his hands, and following Shadow's lead, he took the little girl's hand, and wrapped her fingers around the grip of the Talisman, and laid it back on her chest. The little girl didn't stir again, and now possessed the Talisman. "It's a lucky charm," Silver breathed. "Also...I'm sorry for hurting your friend, Sonic."
Silver knew that in this time, there was nothing to forgive yet, but he had a feeling that he would never see the little girl, Elise, again. Better set things straight before leaving, he thought. Silver then turned to the portal. Running towards it, he leaped in. Shortly after, it closed after him, leaving a little girl in the woods alone.
