Sorry for taking so long, but I have some very bad news. My USB containing all my files including this fanfic was stolen. The only reason I have this file is because I uploaded it to before it was taken. I don't know who the culprit is and I'm not sure if I will ever get it back. Because of this, I'm very likely not be able to complete this fanfic any time soon or at all. I'm very sorry, but I'm trying everything I can to get it back. Please Review. I do not own anything except the plot and OC characters.
Chapter 8: Fire and Ice
With each step, Cosmo's daughter found herself farther and farther away from the ship while the weather steadily got worse.
"Where is he? I thought you I could pick up his mutation with my own, but I'm picking up nothing. I may have to go back empty handed." She scanned her surroundings barely seeing through the snow that was falling quickly around her.
The plant girl spun around with her chain as she sensed someone behind her.
The figure instantly raised his arms as if to ward off her attack. "Wait Starlight. I'm not the enemy."
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" She lowered her weapon, but not her guard.
"I'm part of the Guardians." spoke the green guiena pig.
Ae he approached her, she realizd he was hurt. "What are you doing here? What's with the injuries."
"I was on a mission for White Lily, but some Metarex ambushed me and I crashed here. You need to help me." He stumbled, but kept himself upright.
"What can I do?" Starlight asked as she rushed to help him.
He waved her off causing her to stop. "She wants me to deliver this report. I need transportation there and some medical aid."
"I'm sure we can provide it for you." she said.
"Thank you. It's urgent we get this to White Lily or the Metarex would have the advantage over us." he spoke.
He took a step forward, but fell forward and Cosmo's daughter rushed to catch him. There was a tearing and squelching noise as both remained fixed in the spot.
The guiena pig's eyes became distanced as he said, "Why…Why Starlight?"
She stepped back and found herself covered in his blood. Her chain had torn right through his center causing his blood to flow to the ground.
"I…I…" The plant girl could barely understand what had happeend.
He forced out: "So…it is true…you're the enemy."
He pulled out his weapon and shot at her. Starlight swerved out of the way and used her chain to rip him in half. The figure collapsed to the ground and she immediately went to him.
The last words she heard him speak was: "Traitor."
She stared at her dead ally's body and at her own hands before bursting into tears.
"What have I done? How could I? He was on my side. Why did I kill him?" Cosmo's daughter gripped her head unable to accept what had just happened.
The plant girl collapsed onto her knees and remained there for some time which by that time the blizzard had started. She finally stopped her crying and picked up the document he wanted to deliver. That's when she noticed some papers sticking out of his jacket and pulled it out. Even with the bloodstains she could make out what was written and promptly ripped it to pieces.
She muttered, "This can't be happening. This doesn't make sense. What am I supposed to do now?"
Starlight felt something graze her check and she turned her head to face Freezing Fang. With a yelp, she swerved her body around and scrambled backward to only trip over the corpse.
"It's painful isn't it." His words surpised her.
Cosmos' daughter could only bluntly say, "What?"
"The price for dealing with the master." spoke the Metarex.
This surprised her. "How did…"
Freezing Fang interrupted, "I know what it's like. The master warned you of the consequences."
"Warned me? I murdered a fellow Guardian for no reason. What does that Metarex have anything to do with this?" screamed the plant girl.
He completely ignored her outburst. "The master's mutation is very powerful just like White Lily's."
"You know about the mutation? What do you mean?" Things were getting too much for her.
"Have you ever promised White Lily anything and always came through?" questioned the Metarex.
She didn't see where he was going with this. "Of course."
"Even if the request was outrageous?" inquired Freezing Fang.
"Where's this going?" demanded Starlight.
"Both their mutations can extend and infect others even without contact. Simple words can pass it." said the Metarex.
Her nerves were failing her, but she refused to run. "Why are you telling me this?"
He moved closer to her reaching out to her. "We're kindred souls striving to do what we think is right to protect what is important to us. Their mutation is like mind control. It forces you to keep your word."
"But my promise was…" Cosmo's daughter began.
"About White Lily. This one was helping White Lily and so your promise made you kill him." finished Freezing Fang.
"Is there a way to get rid of it?" Her words were barely audible.
"I do not know and I have not dared try. It would be wise to keep to it and avoid situations such as this." spoke the Metarex.
A memory surfaced and she immediately asked, "What about White Lily?"
"What about White Lily?" He shot back.
"She gave me an order before I spoke with your leader. Would it still affect me?" The thought of committing the action haunted her.
Freezing Fang seemed interested and studied her. "What was her order?"
"She told me that if the Metarex were going to win, I was to kill Sonic." responded the plant girl.
His instant response: "You will not be allowed to kill Sonic."
This befuddled Starlight. "Why do you care about Sonic so much? It doesn't make sense. You. The Metarex. White Lily. Sonic. What's going on?"
"I don't know little one. I am only following through what the master ordered. I have to in order to obtain my wish." said the Metarex.
Cosmo's daughter realized what he had meant. "The Metarex promised you something didn't he."
"What my master promised me has nothing to do with you." spoke Freezing Fang.
"Can't you tell what I need to know?" the plant girl questioned.
"No. In order for my wish to be fulfilled, I have to follow my master's orders and you're the enemy." replied the Metarex.
She sat down saying, "I guess. I'm not all that surprised. I just don't know what to do. It's like my world was turned upside down."
"Yes and I am sorry for that. I must take my leave with that document." said Freezing Fang.
"I can't give it to you. It's my fault that person died. I have to…" Starlight started.
"Give it to White Lily? I don't think you heard what I said. I said you are bounded by your word. If you try to give it to White Lily, you will try to kill her. Besides, I doubt she will let you even near her. You saw what was written on the paper." he continued.
"So you knew." spoke Cosmo's daughter.
"It is quite easy to tell. If you are cooperating with the enemy, that means you're a traitor." said the Metarex plainly.
"I guess you're right." she muttered to herself as she handed the papers over to it.
He accepted the papers. "Thank you for understanding. A word of warning. Don't trust Sonic the hedgehog."
"What?" This confused her.
"I don't want you to get hurt. You should steer clear of him. He's dangerous." spoke Freezing Fang.
"Why won't you speak plainly?" The plant girl jumped to her feet.
The Metarex started, "He…"
A fireball came towards Freezing Fang and he flew up to dodge it.
"Sonic." The hedgehog walked out from the cover of the tress smirking.
"Looks like I finally caught up. You're really a slippery one." said Sonic as he summoned flames.
The Metarex didn't bother giving him a glance. "I have no interest in you hedgehog."
"But I have some interest in you. I want some answers and you'll give it to me." The flames grew in size melting snow and burning the trees.
"No. If you want answers, you can only get it from my master at the base." spoke Freezing Fang as he faced the hedgehog.
Starlight turned to the Metarex. "The Metarex leader is here? But why?"
"You've become a thorn in our plans and the master wishes to end that." Even with the flames, it was getting colder by the second and he radiated a chill that froze her in place.
"I'll end you first." said Sonic as he focused the flames into spheres.
The hedgehog threw a succession of fireballs at Freezing Fang who dodged them and countered with a rain of hail.
Sonic melted some and dodged the rest while throwing more flames. "So I was right. You cause the blizzards by sucking in the warm air into your body and venting out cold air. The question is what you do with the warm air."
The Metarex took in some of the flames and flew out the way as he shot more ice. "You're wrong about that. I don't absorb warmth. I convert it into cool air by removing energy and heat used to keep my body functional."
"Let's see you handle this." spoke the hedgehog as he created a massive ball of flame that overshadow all of them.
Freezing Fang countered with an equally sizeable ice sphere that collided with the flames turning it into steam.
"My purpose is complete I have no need to deal with you any longer. We shall meet again at the base." said the Metarex.
Freezing Fang flew off taking the cold air and snow with him. Sonic watched his retreating form rather than chase after and Cosmo's daughter gave a sigh of relief.
The hedgehog inquired. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." she answered.
He tossed a small wrapped item at her. "Good. Here. Use the snow to clean off the blood."
The plant girl unraveled it to reveal it was just a piece of cloth. "Thank you."
"I suppose you're here to take me back to the Blue Typhoon." spoke Sonic as she picked up some snow.
She kept her head down as she picked at the stains. "Everyone was worried about you."
"I don't need Amy's concern. I can handle myself." said the hedgehog.
Starlight looked up in surprise. "What are you talking about? It's not just Amy. Chris, Tails, and the others are worried too."
Sonic burst out laughing and Cosmo's daughter could only watch him in horror.
"Oh really. What gives you that idea?" His face seemed twisted into a madman's.
"They are worried. I don't…" spoke the plant girl when his hand gripped her throat.
He lifted her up into the air as she fought to get oxygen into her system.
"You don't understand anything. I know their feelings quite well. They're fickle creatures who care only about themselves. They're only worried about me because they can't beat the Metarex without me because they can't beat the Metarex without me." spat the hedgehog.
Starlight would have argued if she had any breath and she found her sight going blurry. Sonic tossed her into a tree causing it to snap and collapse to the ground as she coughed to catch her breath.
"We better head back. When we reach the Metarex base, you better stay out of my way. The Metarex leader is mine to kill." said the hedgehog without a glance back.