Violet Dreams

Chapter 11: Ante Bellum

"A Prisoner of war is a man who tries to kill you and fails, and then asks you not to kill him"

Location: Tails Workshop, Mystic Ruins

Screaming winds plowed against the small building, turning the water wheel faster than it had ever moved before while snow and hail spun through the sky, piling up into massive drifts against the workshop. Within the little red house, the heroes sat gathered around a table, each watching the flickering light of the candles as Tails brought in a backup generator for his computer. Amy shivered quietly, pulling her red scarf tighter around her face. Returning back to the Mystic Ruins, they were welcomed with the bitter surprise of a raging blizzard moving throughout Station Square and the ruins. Once inside, they discovered that the power had been knocked out all across the eastern seaboard, and were forced to resort to candle light.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Amy sighed, realizing the calamity that Eggman had strewn. "We lost all the Chaos Emeralds. And before we know it, the world will be destroyed!"

"We'll figure something out, Amy," Sonic assured.

Tails connected his computer to the generator, and flipped open the screen as it booted up. "We need a plan of action, guys. We can't just sit back and watch as Eggman takes over the world. There must be something we can do."

"After Eggman's robot nabbed the Chaos Emerald in Capital, the weather really crazy!" Mighty informed the group.

"Sounds somethin' like what happened back in Mazuri when we attacked Eggman's base, eh Knuckles?" Sonic explained, noting the connection.

"Before the power got knocked out, I was doing some research on weather patterns, and it seems like the conditions we're experiencing are absolute opposites for our atmospheric position," Tails explained. "In other words, we aren't supposed to be experiencing weather like this. For example, there shouldn't be freezing cold temperatures in the savannah."

"Why would he need to disrupt the weather in the first place? It doesn't make much sense if you ask me," Knuckles grumbled, shooting a wary glance at the Master Emerald sitting in the makeshift shrine behind him.

"I think we're missing the big picture here guys," Tails explained, turning on his bigger monitor. "I don't think Eggman needs the weather, but maybe he needs what's causing it. He hasn't done anything that would even hint that he'd need the weather patterns, either. So far all we know is that he's destroying the cities of the world, and collecting the Chaos Emeralds! So it has to be the source of the strange conditions!"

Suddenly the massive screen that hung on the far wall flashed to life. A faded Eggman insignia flickered across the screen momentarily, and then a countdown from three. The picture faded out to black, leaving only a glowing cage and a black hedgehog seated in the corner. His chest and abdomen were wrapped up with white bandages, which had been stained with blood. Everyone gasped, while Sonic's temper flared to new heights as he bounded out of seat and yelled at the monitor.

"What do you think you're doing Eggman?"

In response to Sonic's outburst, a recorded message began to play. "You pathetic children are probably in an outrage over your precious Shadow here. I assure you that you have no idea what I have in store for this little GUN agent here."

Lights suddenly flashed to life on the monitor, lighting up the room perfectly. Shadow could be seen sitting almost lifeless against the walls of the cage as three robotic pawns moved in on Shadow from three different angles. The first robot, which was colored green, bound the hedgehog's hands, while the second and third pawns forced Shadow to his feet. Blood leaked from his bandages like water, and dripped to his feet. The once powerful Ultimate Life Form seemed weak and defenseless now.

"Shadow the Hedgehog was my grandfather's most valued project, and likewise he kept the blueprints valued as well," Eggman taunted, barely containing his laughter. "Well it seems as though I've figured out the schematics! And Shadow here is the perfect subject for me to experiment with!"

Slowly the three robots led Shadow off the screen. "This was recorded two hours ago, Sonic. And Shadow's vital signs aren't looking good!" Eggman cackled. "It's your move!"

The doctor laughed uncontrollably as the video shifted to his insignia and then turned to static.

The blue hedgehog growled and slammed his hands on the table. "We have to go save him, Tails!" Sonic demanded. "If we go up to the Death Egg, we can save Shadow and pound the answers out of Eggman while we're at it."

"But what if it's a trap, Sonic!" Tails countered as he began to panic.

"Sonic, chill out," Mighty interrupted. "If it ends up being a trap like Tails said, then we're all screwed!"

"What if someone stayed behind?" Amy piped up. "Then we could keep an eye on any other problems that turn up on Earth, while you guys go to get Shadow."

"Fine," Sonic quickly agreed. "You stay here, Amy. Then Tails, Mighty, Knuckles and I will go get Shadow and whoop Eggheads ass!"

"Sonic, this isn't a good idea," The young fox interjected. "We may be able to get up there, but the chances of Eggman actually having Shadow on the Death Egg are slim. We have no way of telling if the Doctor isn't in one of his old hideouts. He could be using the Death Egg as another distraction!"

"Then it's a risk we'll have to take, Tails," Sonic retorted. "Shadow is my friend, and I won't fail to save him like the last time."

Location: Voxili Kingdom, Spagonia

Flames glistened in the sky, keeping the stars dim in the night. Rows upon rows of houses had been lit ablaze from the attacking troops of Eggman only two hours earlier. Children sat bundled up with their families, some either crying or sleeping, while the armed forces of Voxili stormed through the streets. Several soldiers stayed behind to assist the citizens, while others helped put out the blazing buildings. As black gates slammed shut in front of the royal mansion, which sat soundly beside the river that provided the kingdom with water, the fourteenth king of Voxili stood gloomily in the main courtyard. Shattered statues that once demonstrated the monarch's glory now lay shattered on the ground. The many intricately carved fountains sputtered water like a broken faucet, leaving the courtyard looking utterly barren and disgusting. King Darius the XIV watched as his troops rushed around the small city center at the foot of the valley.

"This world is going to hell," The old man stated, his gleaming yellow eyes reflecting pain and loss. "We've just recovered from the Millennium War, and now this. I'll be surprised if we're not wiped off the map!"

Working to move the debris from the raid, Galaxy Seiryu, the king's youngest son, clapped his hands free of dust and took a spot beside his father. "The kingdom's always managed to recover, father. If those abominations try to come back, the military is prepared to fight back. We have cannons lined up on the east and west borders, and they'll be ready the instant they return."

Galaxy, the most honorable in his fathers eyes, had dark indigo fur, with multiple white markings resembling flames across his arms and legs, and a crescent moon marking across his abdomen. His eye color matched the purple spirals on his black gloves and on the tips of his ears. The fur on his head was styled quite messily, so a few locks of his hair fell over his left eye. Signifying his allegiance to the Royal family, a black chain necklace with a white crystal spiral hung around his neck. Showing his affiliation to the Voxili military, he wore black boots with gold straps over the mid-section.

The king sighed heavily, and regained posture. "Your brother would surely be proud of you, Galaxy," Darius noted, referring to his deceased elder son. "Now go help the medical troops deliver food for the citizens. We need to keep them safe as well."

"Alright," The cat nodded, replying almost distantly.

He remembered that moment like it was yesterday. It haunted his dreams by night, and tainted his thoughts by day, but he could never shake that image of his brother. He had come home to see the old mansion destroyed, with his brother's body skewered on a fence post, with his head separated and pinned to the top of the iron fence. It was as if a vision of hell had been placed on earth, specifically to torture his mind for eternity. They never could figure out who murdered his brother, but his father assumed it was one of the reasons the Millennium War started.

Coughing due to the smoggy air, King Darius strode back inside his home, leaving his son to assist the troops. Galaxy sighed momentarily, and then made his way down the winding pathway that lead to the village at the base of the valley. Slowing down to a steady jog, the royal cat paused at the memorial dedicated to his brother. The gigantic statue seemed to stand guard over the entire kingdom, watching over the people like a guardian angel. The emotions that were once locked away began to leak back into Galaxy's consciousness. All the fear, sorrow and regret flooded over him again, like it did every time he stopped at the memorial.

Galaxy grunted, fighting back his tears, and forced himself to walk away, and make his way down the cobblestone walkway. From the looks of things, the civilians were safe, and all being attended to. However, as the cat continued through to the main market area, he heard the faint crying of a young girl. His ears perked up as he honed in on the sound.

"Hello?" He called out.

Turning around in a circle, he scanned every single shop and cafe. Their white stone exterior seemed dull in the face of disaster. Once again hearing the weeping, Galaxy made his way through an arch in the stone wall in-between two buildings, bringing him into an alleyway. Several towering stacks of crates, filled with fruit and vegetables, stood untouched against the high walls of the buildings around the alley.

Again he heard the cry of the little girl.

Galaxy searched around for any place she could have been hiding, yet found nothing. The four doorways didn't have nearly enough room beneath their small wooden stair cases to hide a pet, let alone a child. The sound of his boots splashing in a puddle filled the air as the gentle thunk of his steps echoed afterward. Making his way out to the next area, which was occupied by a crumbling church, a park and multiple large houses, the crying seemed to get louder. The royal feline quickly dashed in the direction of the child, and bounded over the massive stone wall protecting the destroyed cathedral. The towering building loomed overhead, as Galaxy ran along the narrow pathway, and towards the arching wooden doorway. The cat quickly thrust open the doors and stood in the main hall. Five wide pillars extended upwards to the ceiling, where a massive iron chandelier hung lopsidedly. At the far end of the gigantic room was another set of wooden doors, and then a wide staircase leading to the upper halls. The crying echoed more loudly through the building, coming from the chapel which lay through the doors.

Light seemed to slither through the cracks in the stained glass windows placed high in the walls, shedding light on the moss and weeds growing through the elegant red carpeting. Galaxy swung open the doors and ran along the rows of seats, searching along them for any sights of the lost child. His mind began to spin. Perhaps one of Eggman's goons had kidnapped the child and was keeping it hostage? After finally making it to the front, where a large cross hung against the triangular wall, Galaxy stared at the panel of stained glass resembling "God" reaching out to man, but the chains of hell seemed too tightly wrapped around man to be able to reach the God. It seemed almost sad to Galaxy.

Suddenly, the sound of something clattering to the floor echoed through chapel. The indigo cat twirled around anxiously and scanned the pews. "Are you there little girl?" He asked calmly. "I'm not here to hurt you."

"Sadly," A mechanical voice replied. "I am."

A terrifying realization suddenly washed over Galaxy as a fist collided with his ribcage. The sheer force of the hit left him breathless, and threw him off the front stage of the chapel. The young cat bounced off the ground roughly, and smashed into a pew. The power of the collision snapped the seats, allowing Galaxy to flip backwards and into the bench behind him. His eye sight slowly steadied once more, allowing the royal soldier to catch a glimpse of his attacker.

"So you were the one making those sounds, huh?" Galaxy accused weakly as he eased himself up from the bench. "You're one of Doctor Eggman's lackeys then?"

"The power you possess will be used to benefit the planet Earth," Metal Knuckles explained. "Surrender or you'll be taken by force."

Thinking through the consequences of the options, Galaxy growled to himself. If he fought, he would tear down one of the only remaining landmarks of the kingdom, and also potentially harm a passing civilian. On the plus side he'd have a chance of fighting off one of the invading forces units. On the other hand, if he allowed himself to be captured, it could trigger another war. He knew his nation couldn't handle another war. But that war could potentially eliminate the destruction, and reset another age of peace, assuming the Voxili soldiers could eliminate Eggman. The indigo cat sighed, and in defeat he raised his hands and walked over to the ruby red hunter.

"You are smart as you're records proclaim, Galaxy Seiryu," Metal Knuckles admitted. "Emperor Eggman will see to it that your rewarded."

Binding the cat's hands with an energy coil, Metal Knuckles grabbed hold of the cat, and pulled out the Chaos Emerald. However, Galaxy smiled and gripped the doppelganger's wrist tightly as particles of black energy began to develop in the air around them.

"I never said I was surrendering."

Before the overwhelming light of Chaos Control could consume the two opposing forces, a cloak of black particles spun around Galaxy and Metal Knuckles like a vortex. Then, the particles disappeared into a flash of light, leaving nothing in the cathedral.

Location: Unknown

Torrential rain fell from the heavens as the vicious winds brought monumental waves crashing into the dangerous cliff side. A swirling mass of dark energy erupted through the chaos of the storm at hand. White light filtered through the portal as two beings shot out from it. Galaxy flipped away from Metal Knuckles, and jumped away from the edge of the cliff just as the dust-like particles of black energy swirled around him and disappeared. The young cat coughed due to the cold weather, and turned his attention to the recovering android. The dazzling emerald eyes gleamed in the darkness as Metal Knuckles stood to his full height and observed his surroundings. Cracked, black stone pillars stood erect all across the plateau they now stood on.

"I won't let you destroy my home any more than it already is," The royal soldier remarked pridefully. "Give up here, or I'll be forced to get rid of you myself."

Crackling electricity lit up against the dark of the night as rain drops sizzled into vapor as they collided with the powerful energy. The two long blades sparkled with brilliant white light, as Metal Knuckles lunged towards Galaxy. The crimson hunter slashed his weapon through the air gracefully, unleashing a flash of energy screaming towards the cat. However, the royal feline quickly rolled to the right evasively, and as he bounded back to his feet, a collection of black specs of energy swirled around his body, creating a powerful barrier which deflected the attacks of the hunter.

Using his natural reflexes, Galaxy bounded away from the cliffs edge while his barrier quickly dissipated and reformed into a barrage of miniscule black pins. The storm of projectiles smashed against the bulky hunter, forcing it to bring its arms up in defense. However, as the storm of pins ceased, a rotating drill made up of the same black energy collided with the thick crimson armor of Metal Knuckles. Remaining calm and fluent, Galaxy released the drill just as the titanium plating on the hunter's arm snapped, knocking it back a few inches. The cat quickly smashed his heel into the top of the hunters mechanical cranium, and bounded over top of the robot like a preying eagle.

"If I can disable both of its arm, it'll be left defenseless," Galaxy thought to himself, searching through the area for a way to keep Metal Knuckles in one place.

Vibrating streaks of white energy tore across the rock surface of the plateau as several attacks made their way towards the cat. With a quick forward roll, the ivory attacks whizzed over top his head and smashed into a rock pillar extending nearly ten feet high, causing it to crumble to the ground. In order to evade the crumbling parts of the structure, Galaxy simply rolled to the left, allowing several chunks of rock to collide with Metal Knuckles. Enraged, the mechanical hunter unleashed a ferocious string of energy attacks in multiple directions, hoping to hit the strategic cat.

"Hydra," Galaxy whispered, and pressed his palms to the ground.

Suddenly, the purple spirals upon the cat's gloves began to shine violently as eight tendrils of black energy pierced the ground in a circle around Metal Knuckles. Purple energy seemed roll off the bends in the tendrils like flame as the ends of the arm-like appendages morphed into flat ends and slapped down onto Metal Knuckles, holding the hunter down forcefully. Galaxy sighed and stood up, wiping a few tufts of hair from his face, and shaking the rain water from his glove.

"You attacked with carelessness, and brought down the pillar," Galaxy explained. "Which in turn sent your targeting systems out of whack. That led you to attack with no direction, allowing me to trap you."

The fizzling light of Metal Knuckles claws finally ceased as its green LED eyes faded into an abyss of black. The young cat sighed and released his attack, allowing the tendrils to disperse into a storm of small black specs. However something didn't feel right to Galaxy.

Something of that caliber built by Eggman couldn't have been that easy to terminate.

Spinning back around to get a second glance at the robot he had just disabled, Galaxy found that the mech had stood back up. A bright flash of light illuminated the plateau just as twin slashes of energy smashed into the cat's chest, throwing him into a nearby pillar. Small pebbles clattered to the rock floor below while Galaxy grunted and stumbled forwards. However, the true Metal Knuckles allowed no time for the cat to recover, and zipped across the cliff-side in a streak of ivory, and smashed its forearm into Galaxy's throat with the force of a speeding car.

Crumbling under the power of the hit, the thick stone monument crumbled, and gave way to the speeding mechanical hunter. Chunks of black rock clattered to the ground and slid along the wet ground while Metal Knuckles pinned the indigo cat up against a rock wall leading up to another section of the cliffs.

A toothy grin spread across Metal Knuckles technological mouth. "Would you like me to explain my strategy?" The hunter taunted.

"I'm listening."

Slowly, black particles began to pop out of thin air all around the two fighters, while more specs floated up from the ground, beginning to surround the opposition like a plague. The rain continued to pelt down on the rock surface, turning it into a slide leading to anyone's demise.

"When you warped us here, it allowed me to generate a cloaking of energy to my armor, and switch my battle settings to defense," the mechanical, and flat voice of Metal Knuckles droned on through the crashing rain. "You thought you had me backed up into a corner like a scared animal. You're the final vessel, and I'm not about to let you slip through my claws."

Drawing on the powers of the Chaos Emerald, a rotating portal of light suddenly opened up around Metal Knuckles, ready to pull him away with Galaxy. However, unwilling to give up so easily, the young cat quickly gripped his hands against the beast in front of him.

"Lupus!"

Viciously tearing across the ground in a plague of black, the energies emitted by Galaxy crawled across Metal Knuckles like a disease. The crimson hunter thrashed about, trying anxiously to rid himself of the black energy that began to eat away at it's armor. In attempts to free itself, Metal Knuckles slashed it's claws through the sky in a panic, creating massive arcs of white light which cut through the pillars like paper. Galaxy grunted in surprise and bounded over top of falling chunks of rock, while also evading random strikes from Metal Knuckles. The sound of metal being torn apart suddenly thundered through the cliff-side, drowning out the falling rain.

Galaxy turned his body around just in time to jump out of the way of a larger than normal slash of energy, and then rolled to avoid another pillar. Amidst his impressive evasive techniques, Galaxy failed to notice the crimson hunter thrusting itself towards him like a bullet. The black energy continued to crawl around it's armor like a disease, but even then Metal Knuckles found the power to bring it's energized claw down on the cat. Thinking quickly and strategically, Galaxy summoned a spiraling cluster of black specs around his wrist like a shield, easily deflecting the white-hot claws. Sparks flew in every direction as a second claw slashed down on the feline, knocking him to the ground as the light of Chaos Control erupted in the darkness, warping the two opponents away.

Falling into a puddle, Metal Knuckles arm sizzled and sparked lifelessly, remaining there like a souvenir for the battle

Location: Death Egg IV

Tumbling out of the portal of light came Metal Knuckles, fighting desperately to hold down Galaxy. However, the black particles associated with the cat swarmed around the crimson hunter like a plague, viciously ripping apart its armor like a disease. Rolling away from the cowering robot, the young cat jumped upwards like an acrobat, and landed a mere five feet away. Scanning his surroundings, Galaxy knew he wasn't on Earth anymore, and concluded he had been transported to the strange vessel that had taken off into the sky earlier.

"You're the final vessel?"

Galaxy spun around, finding himself face to face with Doctor Eggman himself. "So you're the man behind all this madness!"

Laughing delightedly, Eggman clapped his hands to call over his service droids, "I am Earth's future ruler. And you my young friend will be the one to help me bring a mechanical peace."

"What are you talking about?" Galaxy retorted, confusion overtaking him. "Don't you see what's happening down there? My people, and the people of the entire world are suffering."

"That's only because the planet's arrogant military insist on wiping out change," Eggman explained. "They fear it, and alienate it. But with the power that you, and a few others, possess, I can leave the world with a perfect image of peace!"

Suddenly, a bone crushing blow collided with Galaxy's head, delivered by a hardly functioning Metal Knuckles. The young cat fell unconscious and crumbled to the floor in a hopeless heap. Doctor Eggman cackled victoriously and made his way to the control room of the Death Egg. He could see everyone on their knees bowing to him now. His face would be on every single building, praising his ingenious works to attain peace, and maintain a stable economy. To reach that vision, however, he'd have to get rid of Sonic and any other that opposed him.

Eggman would eradicate everything that came in the way of his domination.

"We all have a certain calling, but everyone on this planet has the general purpose to oppose strife. What we do in our daily lives should be a disease to the opposition." ~ General Mayes, Apotos Spec Ops Squad 01 Leader, 1998

To be Continued

Authors Note~ Phew! It's done! This took longer than expected to write, but I think it was all worth it. We now have the final vessel, and also a little game set up by Eggman for the Heroes. If you guys have any theories, comments or tips, leave it in a review! Thankyou! Chapter 12 is coming your way sooner than you may expect!

Chapter lesson for today:

Ante Bellum is latin for "before war". (Ante meaning before and bellum meaning war)