Chapter 7
Mathra and the maiden's hidden power.
N/A So so sorry about the long wait. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Anywho let's continue with the story!
Moments after the ceremony, a Cramoisi couple was walking in town. One was an innocent tan rabbit holding a little chao in her hands, while the other one was an intelligent looking brown rabbit holding a yellow device.
"I don't see any more stragglers, looks like we may have gotten everyone to safety" the brown rabbit said.
"Look, Rocky" the tan rabbit said with a sad face looking at the devastation of the city. "All this was done…because of us…"
"Don't say that, Cream. You heard what Mother said, it was supposed to happen"
"You mean, the city was supposed to be destroyed. People were supposed to die? We were supposed to be hunted by these mean agents?!" Cream walked forward hugging her arms sniffling. "I don't even know…. if my mother would approve of what's going on…."
Rocky looked down and put away his device. "I…I forgot…your mother doesn't know, does she? About the change…."
"How can I let her know?! If she saw me like this she would not be happy. She won't be happy why I decided to become a blood sucker…."
"Oh…." Rocky then looked down turning away. Cream then looked back at Rocky. She remembered why she became a Cramoisi. She wanted Rocky to come back to life, and in doing so it would mean both would have to become vampires. Rocky would not be standing by her today. Realizing that she rushed over to Rocky and hugged him from behind.
"I'm so sorry! I forgot for a moment…"
"It's ok. It must be nice to worry about your mother. It must be nice to have one"
"You…. you've been an orphan all your life, right?"
"Most of it. But I always remember my big brother. He'd watch out for me" He then got out an emblem that was shaped like half a sun. "I wonder…. if he's still alive…. I would do anything to see him again"
"Yes. I feel the same with my mother"
Ever since Cream's transformation, she has been living with the other Cramoisi. She and Rocky still try to attend their boarding school, but they have been having to leave the campus more often. As far as appearance goes, Tails developed a special device that cloaks their vampire features, including their wings and eyes. With some tidying up, and a some make up, they don't look any different than they did before they changed. As for Vanilla, Cream's mother she has a new job which requires her to leave home. She and Cream haven't seen each other in almost a whole year.
"At least we have each other for now" Rocky said smiling.
"Yeah…"
Their moment was interrupted, by the sounds of crying. They broke their hug and saw someone sitting on the bench crying. The two rabbits walk up and saw it was a young girl, looking to be in her mid-teens. Her hair was long and purple and she had wings coming out from her back.
"Excuse me" Cream spoke politely. "Can we help you"
"My….my daddy…." She spoke in an innocent voice. "I…I can't find him. I'm so scared…." She kept crying holding her face. "those mean blue men came….and…we were separated…. I don't know where he is! Whaaah!"
"Don't cry…" Cream said rubbing her shoulder. "You're one of us now. If your father is alive. We can find him"
"Do you know where you were separated?"
"Somewhere near…. the castle…. I. I think he might be there…."
"We'll take you there" Cream said helping the girl up. "I'm Cream, and this is Rocky. What's your name?"
The girl looked up with a pair of purple eyes just like theirs. She smiled before speaking. "Alice. My name is Alice"
Beneath the cloak
Somewhere, back in the home dimension of the shroud, stood a large castle with the castle was a daycare for the blue agent's offspring. Each of them are taught the ways of the shroud so that one day they will become servants to their cause. An elderly female mouse was sitting in a chair reading a book to several little children who were leaning forward listening to the tale.
"...as these monsters ran amok they began to spread like virus, killing innocent lives making more and more monsters for their evil army When all hope seemed lost, the mighty lord or the shroud came riding toward the evil king and queen's castle to destroy the monsters. Along with him were the seven chiefs of each tribe. They all worked together to smite the monsters and put an end to the plague. Though the monsters were destroyed, the evil king and queen hid away from the mighty lord of the shroud. To this day, we honor him, and the chiefs of the council today" the woman closed the book.
"I want to kill those evil Cramoisi!" Said a young boy
"Look at me! I'm Lord Klaus! I'm going to kill the evil monsters!" All the kids scattered and started playing. The old woman chuckled while getting up.
"They never do get tired of listening to that old tale, do they?" The woman turned around and saw Klaus entering the room. "Hope you don't mind, I was just listening in"
"Not at all, Master" the woman said. The children gazed in awe and ran over to Klaus asking him questions.
"Is it true that you killed all the evil Cramoisi?"
"Did the king and queen die?"
"Can we help you find them"
"Now, now, at ease, children" the nanny said
"Oh, it's quite alright" Klaus said smiling. "Children. I can guarantee you, that if you trust in your heart, you are strong enough to overcome any evil. That is what I believe in, and that is why I will not rest till the evil one is sealed away.
The kids cheered all except for one who looked confused. "Wait...what do mean evil one? Aren't there two?"
"Indeed, but you see, the king was once one of us" the children gasped exchanging glances. "The queen of the monsters used her evil powers to brainwash the king into becoming her groom. That is why I fight every day and hope that one day, the king will be free from the queen's control, and we may strike her down once and for all.
"Master Klaus" a little kitten came up to him smiling. "I. I know you can do it. We believe in you"
Klaus smiled and patted her head. "Thank you child" at that moment a communicator on his wrist activated. "I must be leaving. I will leave the young ones in your care"
"Yes, master" the nanny said as he left the room. Klaus walked through the halls and sighed. He then got out a trinket from his pocket. It was a third of what looked like a circle with a triangle in the middle.
"Zerach, I will free you"
He had arrived at a private room with a large panel in the center. It was glowing bright blue with matching color crystal at the top. He stood on the circle and vanished.
Within seconds, he was in another room that looked like meeting room. "Master Klaus" One of the agents greeted him and bowed. "Welcome back to prison island"
"Thank you" He entered and saw a few GUN generals including the commander who was now wearing the same garbs as the shroud. There were also six other shroud members wearing larger cloaks than that of an average shroud agent. Behind each member was an emblem representing a different tribe. There was one empty chair in the hall, one that has the emblem of two blades shaped like hooks.
"Lord Klaus, we have a situation" spoke one of the chiefs.
"What is it? Have we found Dr. Relic and young Lila?" Klaus asked
"This is...in relation to that situation. The mission that was led by Marcoat Guyllos has failed"
"What?! How?! Guyllos was given the very same tools used to wipe out the Cramoisi last time! Are you saying that one of my top lieutenants couldn't even kill these monsters?!"
"He was on the brink of victory" Spoke another leader. "But the queen preformed an act beyond our imagining. She as preformed the maiden's ritual"
"Impossible! We made sure that maiden was killed! I made sure they all were! Any possible candidate!"
"She has found a new candidate, as well as a host for the bat beast"
"Mathra...is awakened?!
"Indeed. To make matters worse, the queen has also captured young Lila and the doctor. Guyllos and only a fourth of his men managed to make it out alive, just barely. And the rest of the GUN troops were wiped out, along with the general.
Klaus stood up biting his finger. "That witch... she and her monsters truly awakened the venomblight..."
"Yes, master. 57 hours ago, an epidemic broke out that caused a seventh of the citizens of Soleanna to be transformed into monsters. The GUN officials dispatched several teams to subdue them. We managed to purge some of their damned souls, but the efforts of Sonic the hedgehog and Ex-agent Shadow made it difficult to stop them" the commander briefed. "We also investigated the castle, trying to find the princess, but…. the servants were all changed, and the princess is missing"
"We also managed to capture a number of vampire species before the beast appeared. Perhaps we can find a cure, or even find ways to end them" one of the Generals added.
"Good. Make sure you keep them contained in Nith metal
"This venomblight. Is there a cure for it?" The commander asked
"That is beyond my knowledge. But I know that once this beast is awakened, it ushers in the beginning of the end. And with the sarcophagus we kept locked up opened freeing that spirit, our problems will only escalate. Gentlemen, I cannot stress this enough: the queen must die!"
"Ah, but what of your brother?" A third chief asked, "Do we end him too?"
"The effects of the venom are absolute, however my brother was transformed in a different matter than that of a normal vampire, if it's possible. There may be a way to reverse the effects of..."
"Sir!" An agent came rushing in the room. "We have a problem!"
"You dare barge into this meeting unannounced?! Has common sense left you?!" Klaus bellowed.
"Don't be so hard on him, my friend..."
Everyone could hear footsteps mixed with metal pounds and clanging. Klaus looked up and saw a man walk in with two others accompanying him. He was a tall balled man with a metal arm. The second man had a black and white mohawk and was almost covered head to toe with metal. The third man had more metal on him than his other counterparts. He wore a white uniform with metal arms legs and a metal mask that covered up his face. The only human part that could be seen were his eyes, a small bit of pale skin on his face and his long white mane.
"…. after all, I haven't seen my old colleagues in years"
"Who are you?" Klaus asked. "Identify yourself!"
Commander Tower and the other Generals drew their weapons and pointed them at the balled man. "Dr. Ziggfreed. You got some balls walking back into GUN HQ. Come to turn yourself in?"
"Quite the contrary, Tower. I have come to make a deal"
"Is that what you called it after you left us and sold us out to Dr. Eggman?! It was because of you he discovered some of our biggest secrets!"
"Oh, come now, the man is…or was a genius. I played no part in him discovering the secrets in Project Shadow. And plus, I merely provided him the materials needed for his machines. I needed funding after…you cut my finding from here"
"It was because of YOU several of our scientist were killed. Amazing you made out and modified your bodies!"
"And I have the good doctor to thank for that. A shame he has met an untimely demise, and now...we come here in high hopes to let bygones be bygones"
"Not happening! You and your buddies are going on a one-way trip to our lowest prison cell!"
"And I bet you told, that blue hedgehog the same thing, before his friends broke him out, humiliated you, and evaded your pursuit. Oh, and let's not forget the very same man whom I did business with blew up your island. Face, it, you and your organization are not even fit to protect this world. A blue rodent has done more to save your world then you have done in.." A punch was thrown by the commander, but was stopped by the third man. With his metal arms he pressed down on the commander forcing him to kneel and scream in pain.
"Enough!" Klaus ordered. The balled man nodded at the third man who let go. Klaus then drew his sword and pointed it and Ziggfreed. "From what Tower has said, you and your men are not welcome here. Unless you want to be cut to ribbons, I suggest you state your business!
Ziggfreed cleared his throat and smiled. "Please forgive me, Klaus. May I call you Klaus? We do feel a tad sour about coming back here, opening old wounds, but I have a proposition for you. It seems we have a common enemy, one who mercilessly killed our previous employer. We simply ask that you allow us to help you"
"And why would we do that?"
"Because, we have some of the latest technology to help you win this war. Technology used to once outwit the very same robots and machinery in this facility"
"interesting…. robots that performed better?"
"Eggman had a massive debt to pay us, and since he's gone, I've taken his entire robot arsenal for as collateral. All his machines are at my disposal. "So, Master Klaus, do we have a deal? You gentlemen may use our technology to destroy the Cramoisi, in exchange my comrades will be pardoned for all of our…past transgressions"
"Bullshit!" the commander said "You three have racked up enough hell in our organization when you teamed up with Dr. Eggman! Dead or not, I ain't working with his leftovers. Now get them out of here!"
The guards rallied up and were about to take the three into custody. The other two gave the guards sinister glares, but Ziggfreed kept his composure and merely closed his eyes. Just as the guard was about to detain him, he uttered one word.
"Calsangu" (Cal-san-g-you)
The mere mention of word made the members of the council shudder in fear. Klaus' eyes widen in shock. "Stop!" He shouted to the guard. The guard was just about to cuff him. He looked at Klaus frozen in time. Klaus glared at the guard with a terrifying stare. "Move"
Still hesitant about the order, the commander nodded at the guard and he finally did as he ordered and stepped back. Klaus walked up to the Ziggfreed glaring at him. "How do you know that name?" Ziggfreed's eyebrow was raised, but it looked like he was expecting Klaus to be intrigued. "Heathen! Speak now!"
"Agree to my terms, and I shall share this information, as well as hold my end of the bargain. Decline, and I will remain silent"
"Then I will integrate you till you talk" Klaus said glaring. Suddenly there was a loud gunshot. A bullet hit Ziggfreed's forehead and fell on the ground. The bullet only slightly punctured the skin. Blue liquid started oozing down from the man's forehead. The man on the right had a gun aimed at his boss.
Ziggfreed, still standing nonchalant, got out a handkerchief and started swabbing away the blue blood. "You can try, Master Klaus. But our bodies can withstand most kinds of power. Threating us is only a waste of time"
Klaus glared at the gentlemen and quickly turned around. "Commander, have your men stand down. I will hear what he has to say"
"but sir!" The commander tried to protest, but Klaus glared at him.
"I won't repeat myself!"
The commander growled and crossed his arms. "As you wish"
Ziggfreed walked up and smirked. "I'm glad you saw it my way, Master Klaus. Now, let's talk business"
Getting accustomed
Amy was sitting on a lone pillar in a dark room in a lotus position meditating with her staff sitting on her lap. The only light in the room was the moonlight shining down on her from the ceiling. Surrounding her was a small lake with the water quietly sloshing around and dripping.
"Only focus on the water, child. Block all other distractions from your mind" Zerach's words of instruction echo in her head.
Outside of the room Sonic was looking at her from a distance. He tried to speak but was pulled away by Darcy. She pulled him all the way to another room.
"Hey come on. I just wanted to talk to her" he sounded annoyed.
"No, Sonic. Amy must focus" Darcy instructed. "She can't be distracted, even by her lover"
"But all this happened so suddenly! Her becoming some maiden, her gaining this staff. She must have a lot on her mind"
"I'm aware, which is why Zerach told her to do this so that she could keep her mind focused. You as her lover, need to learn to give her space when she needs it"
"That's kind of confusing, after you told us being together makes us stronger"
Darcy chuckled. "True, but even vampires have their limits. Now...there's still another matter; you. Do you remember what happened?"
"Hardly" Sonic started rubbing his head. "Last thing I remember was seeing those shroud punks kill off some of the others. I felt so helpless. I wanted to do something, after that it's all a blur"
"So, you don't remember anything?"
"I did have some weird dream about a pirate and some crazy woman killing people. That pirate kind of looked like..."
"Hey, queenie!" The two heard Richter's voice. He and Lila walked up to them. Sonic's eyes widen as he looked at Richter, who looked at him. "What's wrong blue boy, you look a little sick" Sonic saw the image of the bloody pirate who smiled devilishly at his fallen foes. He then shook his head.
"I'm fine" He lied "Just a little dizzy" Darcy narrowed her eyes knowing that Sonic was hiding something.
"Right...anyway. Well you guys are safe now...so I was wondering if we could just head out. I mean we already said that... Mmmm?" Darcy walked up to Richter and looked at him close. "What is it? Something in my teeth?"
"You're bold... but foolish. Do you honestly think we would just let you leave, after witnessing what you've seen, and going through what you did?"
"Well, yeah. We won't turn you in, or seek revenge. My bro said that you haven't come up with a choice yet, so I thought I could convince you"
"And what of you?" Darcy turned to Lila. "Do you wish to return to your shroud? Would you inform them of our location?"
"I…. can't go back... not after what Guyllos saw" Lila said looking down. "Besides, I'm dead if I say, or leave. I believe that now"
"Are you certain? There could be a third path for you"
"It's only a matter of time before Lord Klaus finds you and kills you all. And I'll be executed for treason, because I've been with you for so long and didn't say anything. And you'll kill me if I try to run. I see no point in...WHAAAA!""
Richter grabbed Lila and dug his knuckles in her head giving her a double nooggie. "OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW!"
"Awww boo hoo! It's all over! I'm dead either way! Life is pointless! Whaaah! whaah! Whaaah!" Richter mocked her in a baby tone. "Look lady, I've had enough of your gloom and doom!"
Lila growled in rage and grabbed Richter by the arm throwing him against the wall. She then stomped over to him and placed her boot right up to his face as he was hanging upside down. "Listen you damn fool! This isn't a game! Don't you see?! We're nothing but lunch to these monsters! It's only a matter of time before we're all dead!"
"These monsters have names you know" Sonic interjected
"That's...true...no matter what" Richter said getting up with a raspy voice. "God, you have a good arm..."
"What are you talking about?" Lila asked stepping back
"Everyone dies sooner or later, that's why I choose to live and fight as long as I can. I refuse to believe that death is the only way out. Sure, we're surrounded by vampires that hate both our kinds, but I'm not going to sit around and wait for death. And I can't stand it when people try to do the same!" Lila looked the other way lowering her arms. "Even if I were to die today, I want to make the most of it. What about you?"
Lila turned to Richter and then smiled. She then started to laugh. Sonic tilted his head in confusion. "Here I was thinking you're some crazy man-child, but you are interesting"
"Well what can I say?" Richter then laughed back. Lila stopped for a second and smiled while blushing.
"Well, that changed the atmosphere" Sonic said smiling.
Darcy then giggled "Indeed. Now then" She cleared her throat and walked up to the two. "Captain, I have a proposition for you"
"Ok" Richter said listening.
"My two children have a new journey ahead of them. As you well know, we are at war with the cobalt shroud, and with their combined might, they could destroy us as they did three millennia ago. I can't bare the same tragedy to befall on my children a second time. Once these children have reach the peak of their power we can tip the scales in our favor. Help us, and we will release you"
"So, you're saying you want to fight GUN because they are supporting some group out to kill you? And you're asking the help of a criminal lord to help you, take down his most hated enemy?"
"Yes. That sums it up"
"Ok, just checking. Sure, why not. Provided you guys help me find my missing crew"
"We have eyes all over the city, we should be able to find them" Darcy answered.
"You're helping them?" Lila asked, "You're actually helping them?"
"Like I said, find a way to live. We could also use someone from their side to help" Richter leaned over to Lila blinking kindly.
Lila scoffed while crossing her arms. She then looked at Richter who was smiling at her. She then blushed again and slowly started to uncross her arms looking the other way. "Why not? Like I said, I'm dead if I stay or run. Helping you might actually keep me alive longer"
"That's the spirit!" Richter laughed while giving Lila shoulder hug.
Lila froze for a second with her entire head turning red, but then pushed Richter off. "Keep off me!" She dusted herself off walking away.
"Great...so where do we start" Sonic looked at Darcy who was looking at those two curiously. "Mother?"
"Oh! Forgive me, Sonic" Darcy walked up and held her hand up to Sonic's chest. "Yes...I can feel him"
"Feel who?"
"Mathra. The bat beast that now rest within you"
"Oh, yeah…. but mother, why did you choose me?"
"It was not me, I may be the vampire queen, but the guardian beasts choose their host, and Mathra chose you. I only could hear the beast voice when they make a choice"
"With the beast, that is known as the guardian of the Cramoisi, awakened. He unleashed miasma around the city to keep us alive. We are safe for now, but with our enemy's resources, it's only a matter of time before they try to strike us again. We must be ready.
"Ok...that sounds a bit weird... but I guess I understand. Also, I remember GUN having robots at their disposal. That's going to be a problem"
"You're not in the slightest bit concerned?"
"Well, a bit, but there never really is a dull moment with me. So, what's our next move?"
"Stopping the venomblight from transforming any more helpless victims. Once we have, we can focus on building onto our lives. To do that, Amy must awaken her new powers as the new maiden, and you must learn your new powers as well. I also see that you bare a new blade"
"Oh yeah, Zarah gave it to me for some reason"
"That new face…." Darcy looked down curious. "Only vampires from my time could use materialization magic at such a high level. Could she have survived the massacre?"
"Something wrong, mother?"
"You must take good care of that blade, Sonic. It will help you in the future. I will help you train, just as Zerach is helping Amy. Being baptized was only the first trial, once she learns more of her new powers she can learn how to use them.
"Say no more. I'll help her anyway I can"
"As tenacious as always. However, you must be careful, the longer you dwindle the more you are prone to losing control of Mathra. Should you lose control, there's a chance both of you could lose your lives.
"Well that's a relief..." Sonic said sarcastically.
"I know you can do it. Sonaura wouldn't have picked you and Amy if you were not worthy"
Sonic saw Amy and Zerach walk out of the room. Amy was looking down before looking back at Sonic who gave him a light smile.
"When is this next trial going to start?" Amy asked
"Soon, child. But first there is a new task for you and your friends" Zerach instructed. "The damson district is now our territory, mortals can come in, but they will either die or change. The venomblight has become airborne, and is prone to spread further throughout the city and beyond.
"How do we stop it?" Sonic asked, "All we know is that GUN made that big wall dividing the city"
"You can't stop it, but you may put up a magical barrier. It will keep our enemies from entering. This will be part of your training young ones. Once you have made a barrier to protect the people of this district your training will be complete.
"So, Amy's just supposed to say some of those magic words and make a barrier?"
"No, first you must find the power to do it, deep within"
"But how?"
"You must figure that out on your own. Right now, Zerach and I have a bigger kingdom to manage. Look closely you two. The answer may be closer than you think" with those words both leave the two alone.
"Great, that was helpful" Sonic once again was sarcastically.
"I heard that" Darcy said making the two hedgehogs shiver.
"Uhh why don't we go see what the others are up to?" Amy suggested
"Good plan"
Who is the enemy?
Richter and Lila were walking around the castle. Richter was trying to keep up with Lila. "Come on! You can't still be mad at me…"
"I prefer to be alone"
"Great, we can be alone together" Richter swung his arm around Lila. In response she pushed the echidna off.
"T-That's not what I meant!"
"What happened to you? You were all nice and compassionate towards me…"
"I'm still not happy about the alliance thing. Look, these blood suckers…. the shroud hunts them down for a reason. They can unleash hell on this world and all who live in it. "Don't you understand?" Richter laughed a bit before walking ahead of Lila. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, if only I could show you the truth behind these military grunts and their plans. That bank we hit, back in the city, all that money was taken by the people of the world"
"What are you talking about?"
"A recent bill that was passed. You know, the Humanoid Integrated Protection Network of the Supernatural.
"The H.I.P.N.O.S bill? Yes, it was funded for the government by the shroud, to protect the mortals.
"Yeah…." Richter spoke sarcastically. "The friendly government paid for it, after borrowing it from several hundreds of people by bumping up the taxes! Because of their "protection" bill, many people that I know of are now either homeless or in serious debit. My team was handpicked to take that money back, and stuff it up those government jackasses"
"So, you stole the money from the mint?"
"We liberated that money as well as a few extra things…." Richter then pulled out the white chaos emerald from hammer space. Lila looked closely at the emerald with awestruck eyes. As she was gazing upon the gems luster a small melody played in her head. She didn't know why, but it sounded something from a music box. After it got to a certain tune, she stepped back shaking her head. "Whoa! Hey are you alright?"
"Yeah…" Lila said rubbing her head. "I'm fine…I'm just dizzy…"
"Come on you little snot, lift it!" Both could hear kids talking in one of the ruined courtyards. One of the older Cramoisi teenagers were playing around with these other younger ones. One was a young boy with brown hair and the other one had red hair. The brown-haired boy was trying to lift a large rock four times the size of him. Egging him on was Tawny with other teenage Cramoisi laughing at his folly. "You're a vampire for crying out loud, you should be able to lift a simple rock"
"Lay off, Tawny. He's trying" said the red-haired girl. "You can do it Jayden!" the boy was grunting and sweating till he finally let go.
"Not like that you can't" Richter walked up to Jayden looking closely at him.
The older teens hissed. "Hey! You're that pirate captain! Didn't know you wanted to get eaten"
Richter ignored Tawny and walked over to Jayden. "You're not giving the rock a bear hug, your lifting it. Watch closely now; legs spread, knees bent, butt clenched, hands bent, and scoop under!" Richter followed those exact movements and lifted the rock with ease. "And always lift with your legs! Can't stress that enough"
The other teenagers looked in awe. Tawny for a moment did, but then scoffed. "Big deal, I can do that"
"Think fast!" Richter tossed the rock at Tawny who tried to catch it, but instantly stumbled over. "Having strength isn't enough if you don't utilize it properly. The same goes for battles, and RPG's." He then held out his hand to help Jayden up.
"You little fairy man!" Tawny said getting up. "Why I ought to…."
"Thank you" He said with light tears in his eyes. Richter then narrowed his eyes at him.
"Do I…know you? You look familiar…."
"I'm Jayden Callahan"
"Jayden…" Saphron pulled him away. "Don't tell him who you are, he might…. rob your house or some…oh…. never mind" Jayden gave Saphron a sad look.
Richter then snapped his fingers. "Tell me, were your parents' names Ronald and Martha?"
Jayden's eyes widen. "Yes! You knew them?"
"Oh yeah! I conducted business with them all the time! They worked on so many different experiments and projects and asked me to help gather materials for them"
"My parents associated with criminals?!"
"Hey, I didn't ask for much…just…. some medical treatments and stuff, they were a big help to our cause. So many lives were saved because of them" Richter then sighed. "Then they were just…offed"
"Offed?" Lila asked curiously. Tawny and the others were listening in. Jayden looked down covering his face.
"Yeah, if I'd known what they were going to do them, I would have stopped them. I was there. I was just going to drop off some more isotopes for their next project when I saw GUN at their house. They were also with this tall man who looked like he had insect clampers on his face" Jayden hugged himself, Saphron hugged him as well. "I hid because I thought they were going to need me to bail them out. I was waiting for the right moment to strike, but I never would have guessed what they were going to do to them next.
"Chief Scolos?" Lila mentioned.
"Stop it" Jayden said
"What did he do?"
"He killed his parents right in front of him!"
"I said stop it!" Jayden shouted.
"There's no way he could have done that. Scolos was a fair and honest man, there's no way he would…"
"I SAID STOP!" Jayden stomped the ground, everyone suddenly felt the earth shake. Jayden then glared at Lila with his eyes glowing bright. His fangs and claws extending. He then stepped back and turned around with tears streaming from his face.
"Wait! I didn't get to the good part!" Richter shouted.
"I think you've said enough!" Saphron yelled at Richter. "Jayden wait up!" She then ran after him.
"You guys really are jerks" Tawny said to the two. "Even I wouldn't go that far. Let's go" She spoke to her posse before flying off.
Richter made his arms slump. "Wow…. that played so much better in my head…"
"That's why Scolos came back so injured…you're the one who nearly killed him!" Lila shouted at Richter
"I did it for a good reason!" Richter shouted back "Those bastards killed his parents, cut his face, and let him watch his house burn to the ground!"
"I…I don't…believe you…you're making it up…"
"How so? There's your proof right there. He ran away! Face, it, your precious cobalt shroud is just a bunch of power horny bullies!"
Lila was seething with rage. To Richter's surprise her eyes changed from silver to lime green. Two green flames appeared on her hands. He slowly stepped back as Lila walked closer. Richter then shook his head and walked up to Lila. "I know you don't want to hear it, but it's true. Look around you, they act like normal people, they laugh, they cry, they have feelings. You saw what that Guy-os(Guyllos) man did. I know you don't want to believe it, but you can't let your feelings hide you from the truth"
Lila kept growling She then lowered her body and screamed loudly while unleashing a powerful tower of fire that didn't go unnoticed. When the tower diminished, she knelt standing on all fours. The flames were gone, and her eyes returned to normal. She got up letting out a big sigh.
"Feel better?" Richter asked holding her shoulder.
"No. But…. I want to learn the truth from Klaus and Guyllos directly" She then started walking along with Richter. "Could it…be true…could the shroud really be…"
"Listen" Richter spoke up close to her. "these people probably hate me anyway. If they ever try to kill you, I'll protect you" Lila looked at Richter's eyes. She didn't know why, but she felt like she could trust him. His words sounded assuring and honest. She then smiled and nodded.
"Ok…"
Entering the flame
Both Sonic and Amy made their way to the Damson District looking around. They could see robots and people working together reconstructing the city. The Cramoisi were giving orders to thralls and directing them. The robots themselves were gizoids developed by Tails. Each one had his trademark insignia on their arms. There were also bigger automatons doing the heavy lifting.
"This an entirely different city just a few days ago" Sonic said "It's cool that it's not war of the worlds now"
Amy looked at some other people laughing and talking amongst themselves, as well as some children playing and doing reenactments of the last few fights. It was very unusual. Though they were now immortal servants, they don't behave any differently then they did as mortal. " Relic said that they would soon become monsters and shadows of their former selves, but they don't seem that way"
"Maybe it just takes time"
"I don't even know how I'm supposed to make this barrier…." Amy then spotted the same fountain where they came across the ghoul mother and son. The fountain was reconstructed, but black liquid was flowing through it.
"Ech! What happened? Did a sewage pipe break or something?" Sonic asked. He looked even more disgusted when he saw people drinking from it.
"That's the same black water from the cathedral…." Amy said "But…what is it, and why is it coming out here?"
"This is our nourishment" A voice was spoken from someone sitting at a nearby bench. She was a blue wolf who wore a tank top and shorts. Her eyes were closed as she was holding a silver cup while moving it around. "This is dark water. Long ago it was sealed away by the cobalt shroud after the rest of the vampire tribe was slain by them. They kept it sealed away so that the monsters wouldn't return, but thanks to you that seal is broken, and Sonaura's people can freely drink this bountiful liquid" She then took a big gulp from her cup sighing in satisfaction.
"Dark water? That's a simple name" Sonic commented. "but that doesn't change the fact that it looks like crud"
"Wait, how do you know so much about this water?" Amy asked
"That's what big sister Zarah wanted me to tell you" She then opened her eyes; they were both glowing a red-orange "How can a maiden not know that? Did mother not teach you?"
"You know Zarah? Where is she?" Amy asked demandingly. "Who or what are you?"
"Isn't it obvious?" The wolf's body started to illuminate, with four white bat-like wings extending from the back. Her eyes then changed to a shining silver as she glanced at the two smirking. Her wings, unlike Sonic and Amy's, were wider and were emitting some strange silver smoke. "My name is Airianna (R-ee-anna). And I'm just like you!" From her hand, a pair of cyan and white crossbows materialized.
"Look out!" Sonic told Amy and pushed her to the ground to avoid a few shots from the crossbow., which would blow up on impact. "Hey! What's the big idea!"
"What does it look like, blue boy? It's a fight!" Airianna said running up to them firing more shots. Sonic and Amy ran out of the way. Sonic then jumped in the air doing a homing attack, but the wolf instantly vanished.
Sonic would quickly stand up looking for his opponent. "Where's you go?" From behind him a body was slowly coming to light.
"Sonic! Behind you!" Amy shouted. It was too late he was shot in the back and blown back into the fountain. Sonic got up shaking his head. He could feel the water around him, for some reason he could feel his rage building, especially after seeing what he saw next.
Airianna was firing at Amy who was using her hammer to deflect the shots at her. "Come on, maiden! I want to see some of those holy powers you have!" She said as she kept firing. Amy then flew up trying to avoid the shots. She then did a dive bomb at the wolf swinging her hammer, but Airianna used her crossbows to block. Amy could feel the integrity of the crossbows as she was pushing down on them. They were like nothing she'd ever seen. Airianna then pushed Amy black knocking her off balance. She then fired three shots at Amy that made her blow back.
"Amy!" Sonic shouted as he saw his lover fall to the ground with her body smoking.
"Ah ha ha ha!" The wolf laughed walking closer. "This was too easy. Even a new maiden would have been able to defend herself, I wasn't even using half my strength" She aimed her weapon at Amy charging up her shot. "Say good night"
Sonic got out from the fountain growling. His fir turned to a darker blue and his muzzle turned paler. His teeth and nails grew longer. Amy lifted her heard with her eyes half open. She felt the same pain in her chest as did before. There was no doubt about it. "No...not again..." She whispered. "don't... lose... yourself..."
"Leave...her ALONE!" Sonic growled pouncing on Airianna and roaring at her face. Her cocky attitude changed instantly. She now looked scared out of her mind. Sonic swung his claw at the wolf and tackled her to the ground. Sonic slowly walked up to her growling and his eyes white and soulless. He was about to attack again, but something grabbed him.
"NO!" Sonic looked down and saw Amy holding onto his torso. "Please...stop...don't do it"
Sonic's eyes slowly went back to normal and he lowered his hands. He then helped Amy up looking at her with concern. Amy then looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Please…don't get mad….it…hurts…me.."
"Pathetic..." Both turn over to Airianna who was dripping what looked to be white blood. "A true maiden would know how to keep the beast in check. And a strong knight would know how to properly use their new power. You better watch yourselves, siblings. Big sis says that a bigger threat is on the way..." With those words, a cloud like veil shrouded her entire body. When the veil disappeared, she was gone.
"Huh, didn't know we would do that" Sonic witted Amy groaned while stumbling on Sonic. "Amy!"
"My back..." She said
"Don't worry. I'll get you some blood"
Mo Mujkoh" A man came up with several other ghouls looking at Amy in pain.
"Wha?" Sonic didn't know what to say to these people of even if they could understand him.
"Kxo Nukoh" the man pointed at the fountain along with the others. "Kxo Nukoh walo cavo"
"The water?" Sonic didn't know why, but he could understand him. He had never heard this language before, but he could understand it like his own. He picked Amy up and walked over to the fountain. He placed her in and waited. Even as a vampire it would take time for Amy to heal, but Sonic was amazed to see the blast burns heal and her back slowly readjust itself.
Relief flowed through his heart, but then he was surprised when he saw, Amy's body float in the air. She lifted her left hand and from it came the staff she had earlier. It along with the chaos emerald on her hip slowly started glowing bright. She then opened her eyes and floated higher in the air.
She then pointed her staff at the wall GUN had set up. From the wall came a large purple wall that was slowly rising and covering the district. It was blocking the miasma from reaching any further out from the other parts of the city. It made its way all the way to the forest covering that up as well.
Back in Kingdom valley, Cramoisi could see the barrier cover up the sky, but they were still able to see the purple and orange sky they were used to.
Darcy and Zerach could see the barrier from the highest point of the castle. Zerach smiled and nodded. "Well done, Amy. I knew you could do it" he said
Darcy sighed in relief and laid on Zerach's arm. "Now the Cramoisi are safe…. but our fight is far from over…"
"indeed…." Zerach said looking at the horizon.
Amy then slowly started falling from the sky, only to be caught by Sonic holding her bridal style. Amy closed her eyes and sighed in exhaustion.
"Not bad, Ames. Not bad" Sonic said smiling. "Let's go home" He turned back to the castle flying in that direction.
Surprise at home
Cream and Rocky lead Alice back to the castle and Tails' workshop. The young girl was still nervous, but she was amazed at looking at the technology around her.
"Welcome back" Tails said working on his portal with his back turned. "Who'd you bring back?"
"This is Alice, she's looking for her daddy" Cream answered.
"Who that girl with her?"
"Girl? What are you…." Within seconds both Cream and Rocky were under a net made with nith metal "GAH! Help!"
Tails turned and saw them both under the net and gasped. He looked up and saw Alice smiling at him. Behind her was another girl who was looking at the three vampires with a dark gaze with her yellow eyes shining in the dark. She walked out revealing herself to be a dark-skinned girl with long black hair. She wore a black tank with matching pants and a white long hoodie wearing what looked like a breathing device on her neck. She looked about the same age as Alice.
"Look Lori, it worked!" Alice said touching her eyes showing them to be purple contacts. Her eyes were both blue and green. She then removed a few pieces of her clothing revealing her metal robotic parts. "Who knew showing purple eyes and having zero life signs would work on these two"
Sonic arrived at Tails workshop located in one of the castle's towers. He landed on the landing strip walking into the room carrying Amy bridal style. "Hey Tails, you got an extra bed? Amy conked out so…" Sonic held his tone looking at the situation. He saw the two girls, the rabbits in a net and Tails looking shocked and surprise. "What's going on…"
"Aww, look Lori, two little hedgies. Did you lose your way?" The girl's voice sounded young and innocent, and she looked at Sonic with a face as kind and sweet as Cream's.
The other girl on the other hand gave a look that even made Sonic shiver. "Great! Because I can't wait to carve them to pieces! Every one of them!" She got out a long wide blade looking at the blue hero.
Sonic just gave a narrow stare. "This day just keeps getting better and better"
(Tbc)
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