A/N: Here we have it, the next chapter in the Hellion Rider's tale. What worries pick up as Lyndia increases her success, and by awakening her mother; the doom clock's next hour is ticking on. What does this mean for the darkness? The arcane manifestation finally shows its ugly face.

Will Sonic and Co.'s union with the Drakehedge Clan be enough to stop the coming distortions of destruction? We turn the page and will find out.

(End A/N)

Chapter XIII: Drakehedge Clan United

The combat erupted into a splash of flames, yellow sparks of chaos, a powerful crackle of lightning generated by chaos, and a blast of friction from the air. As the atmosphere filled with the moist air, steam spilled from the seams of the Vision Chamber. Within the Pendance Monument, a great battle waged on, as the heroes worked to end the seige of the great evil here and now. This would be the end of the planet's greatest trial yet, at least this was the hope of those present, every move made to ensure that it would be the last confrontation. The nameless entity did not fold, despite taking more and more damage, and despite its persistence, such only redoubled the efforts of those present to slay it!

"Thunder...Arrow!" the red echidna sent the powerful bolt blast towards the dark mass, only to have the arcane essence avoid it.

Even though it didn't get far, as it was suddenly wrapped within a red hot chain, something from Wushan's waist that was used to clutch and trap the mass. Within the spectral flames, it burned anything of an evil quality and held them fast. While it was wrapped up, Wushan gathered flames within his mouth and took to forging it into a fireball. Something that Lana too, joined him in, as she forged her flames before her open palms; which shaped the large pure blue fire blast.

"Chaos Control!" Shadow's words came with his choice of the very application, to slow and hamper the movement of the dark mass.

This action gave Sonic the time to spin dash the mass, not just once but twice before he moved back. No sooner had Sonic moved, did a charged blast of orange energy and a large hammer strike the top of the mass's amorphous body. Tails and Amy had joined the fray and scored two blows, it was joining the effort of massive attacks. Such a score of mighty attacks was ended, with a dual blast of man-sized (around 6 feet in diameter) fireballs were launched into the bound arcane form.

An inhuman cry came from the now, smoke covered room edge. Finally, the creature was starting to show some real signs of being worn down. As they had been doing battle with it for what was at least some 3 hours in passing time. Still, it was a sturdy opponent who was facing a losing battle, as the odds against it had now increased to 7 on 1. If only the structure of the old Temple room was able to keep up with the pressure.

This was in fact, something that the arcane mass was keeping in mind. It was being drained upon each attack, those reserves of its body being used to retain its form. Despite having a lot of power, due to the amount it had sapped from Lyndia during the separation, those reserves were being lost and quickly. This battle was proving to be one of underestimation in the highest amount. Certainly it would spell its doom, unless it could escape from the would-be heroes present.

It needed a chance to escape and then more time to ponder just what it might do, these numbers were truly something. A blight upon any plan for revenge or domination of this new world. Had heroes become such a nuisance in the centuries that had passed? It seemed like it, this group before it was certainly proving that technology, chaos, and sheer force were to be reckoned with. While it pondered about what it might do, it did pass a fearful thought that made it freeze. What if the world was covered in freaks of nature like this? Those who possessed such skills and strengths, but all who did not care about its offers?

Then it saw a chance, as it endured another around of attacks: Fire, punches, kicks, blasts of electricity, forges of chaos, and spectral energy scorched it deep. Still it refused to fall and instead, took the form of a great spiked ball. Just as it took the moment to throw itself towards a crack in the wall it found. While it moved towards the wall, it forced both Tails and Amy out of its way. Just as the form stabbed into the wall, its armored carapace was attacked from the distance once more.

"We will meet again, heroes! I shall not be destroyed today!" the arcane shouted.

"Chaos..."

"Thunder Arrow!"

"...Spear!"

The combined forges of chaos seared the air as they crashed against the back of arcane's carapace form, easily cracking the armor that had been crafted. As the figure crumbled and fell into a pile of black mush, it began to sizzle and melt away. At first, it looked like there was some success, though as Lana frowned it became apparent that it was not quite enough damage. Her eyes looked over it carefully, to confirm that this was not a kill. Wushan joined her in exploration of the remains of the enemy, with both siblings reaching the unfortunate conclusion.

"...It's not over, is it?" Tails looked on, sound more than a little discouraged.

"This thing can't be immortal, right? Right, Wushan? Certainly we have done something to it!" Amy exclaimed, a little distraught that this creature could escape despite everyone's efforts.

"No, Amy this creature isn't immortal and we did hurt it, badly. It sacrificed part of its being to escape, a fairly good sized chunk too." Wushan wasn't sure how much, but he was confident that it hadn't been a completely wasted effort.

"Partway isn't a complete success. We will proceed to hunt it down at once, nothing escapes from me." Shadow's words were relentless, as he took pride in all efforts that he was apart of.

"This thing is a threat to the Master Emerald and everyone else, we have to pursue immediately!" Knuckles agreed with Shadow on this, why stop now?

"That would be a grave mistake, if we gave chase now. We've torn it down, maybe 45% of its maximum here. It is critical, but...the fact remains, it was adapting to our attacks partway. It cannot gain immunity, but its durable, and this means we need to study what we know about it now." Lana said next.

Tails sighed gently, he was glad that something had come of the attacks, and as he gathered up some of the residue in a vile; he tucked it away and looked up to Sonic first before speaking to everyone, "Let's get back to my Workshop, I can analyze this sample and see what we can come up with. Plus, it gives us all chance for good rest."

The idea of rest sounded good, Sonic was weary after such a battle. Amy too was feeling the wear and tear of such a big battle. How long had it been since she'd actually rested? She almost wanted to question whether they had some success, even though she knew the answer to that was yes. As despite the threat of Wushan's mother, they had finally stopped his sister and saved her life. Revealing the true face of the foe and defeating him in part, forcing a retreat was nothing to laugh at either.

Despite the air being full of tension, eventually all present agreed to leaving the Temple grounds. The Queen-Mother placed a spell around the entrance after everyone was out, as this was a sacred ground that not just anyone should pass. There was still no trust in a lot of those who would come to such a ground and try to discover secrets best left to the past. Without any arguments, all present parties gathered up and headed towards the Mystic Ruins. Such a trip wouldn't be too bad by flight, and it was certainly one that would be a happy reunion in midair for all of the Drakehedge Clan.

-Within a Dark Gateway-

The darkness manifested into one solid shape when last seen. It had escaped the watchful eyes of an ancient enemy. A grudge carried over the millennia and the promise of the Overlander's return to magic on the horizon. This accursed mass had begun first by absorbing the malice of its host. Then compiling this with the despair and urgency of its legendary host's abilities: it had finally been ready.

The truth of the curse's abilities were hidden in the outcome of its forge, it would kill the host. The original arcane mages had the power to regain their shape, consciousness restored through the magical lineage of the mighty Lyndia. They would conspire to kill her for good this time, to get revenge on the Clan who defeated them during the war. This original intent of this spell found the situation even better.

"To think...the Clan's royals would reawaken. Killing the eldest may not be an option, but ending the current world...that seems very plausible." the amorphous mass of darkness spoke in a multi-tonal.

It had to cause a failure of the powers, break the balance that had been forged by Lyndia's awakening. The evil knew that the Queen-Mother of the Drakehedge Clan would scorch the land; though only if her children were threatened by the world of men. The Overlanders needed to be influenced into making it clear that they were NOT welcome. Something needed to be done to get the men of science to act for the will of their ancestors.

For the sake of revenge, the world would be brought to ruin so that arcane magic could heal it, bringing it back to its own vision.

From its place within the plane of Chaos Energy, it reached out with its darkness and would start to prod the Overlanders. It needed weak wills who wanted power, those who would act as acolytes of the Ancient Order, the Arcane Briar would return again. These tools would be used to stall the would-be heroes, while it acted behind the scenes. The rise of the dark hearts of men would be present and once it evaporated technology, the belief in magic would flourish.

-With The Mobian Saviors-

The Queen waited patiently as Lyndia tested out her powers. She was so weak that it had left her bitter. Though she slept and left the remaining Overlander tribes in peace, her kindness had made her eldest pay with suffering for centuries. Despite herself, she reserved her judgment of the present state of Mobius. It was by witnessing the Mobians acting as a unit and seeing the acceptance of her youngest with them gave her hope.

Wushan was a strong advocate of the modern world, he had a nice home and had offered to show his family the residence after the end of this mission. He and Lana were those who wished to see the world unharmed, with Lyndia being on the fence about it. She had not experienced the world and what of it she knew, was very little and ill informed. All would be taken into mind by the Queen-Mother of their Clan.

The fact that this Queen was thinking about destroying the known world with some tremendous power had been unnerving. Tails and Amy took is as well as anyone could expect: rather unsure about trusting the word of Wushan's mother. Knuckles had declared that he would protect the Master Emerald and his Island from anyone. Shadow was indifferent, he worked for G.U.N. and would protect the world that Maria loved. Sonic stood strong and said they'd solve the issue at hand, so that everyone was happy.

"Honestly, your confidence amazes me, Sonic. I'm glad that your good mood is infectious, as I am not so eager to see my mother unhappy." Wushan grimaced at mentioning that.

"Hah, c'mon man, this is nothing. It doesn't matter the kind of danger, the consequences, only that we get it done. That's exactly what we need to focus on, we've done alright so far. Even saved your sister, defying that prophecy of yours." Sonic was looking to the positive in all of this.

"No denying that, friend. Thanks to all of your help, getting my sister back...that takes a load off of my mind and makes sure that my mother doesn't overreact. We couldn't have better luck so far." Wushan admitted that it had gone well.

Considering all they'd been through, that they failed to stop Lyndia, it all worked out quite well. There was no doubt that something big was coming though, as even with his sister stopped: he had a sickeningly bad feeling well up in his stomach. But as they stood waiting for Tails' calculations to come to a final conclusion: they were stuck with the waiting game.

Lana looked at her brother and gave off a soft smile, if anything she was glad that she had her twin back. It had been thanks to him and his friends that she was saved, there would not be another tearful departing. All of which was never to be necessary again, Lana would not allow it. She had her sister back and their mother was not threatening the world for now, she hadn't been happier to be awake.

As her brother went off into Tails' workshop with Sonic, she knew it was for this readout that Tails was working on. Something about that little fox gave her some hope. His intellect was one of the things that had been an asset to their side. Even though they had not been able to prevent her sister's advances, it took nothing away from Tails. She was all the more glad that Wushan asked as an intermediary to them, a link to the modern age heroes before them.

She found herself at a usual crossroads. As the younger of the twins, she found herself still looking for guidance at times. Even during the war, it was often Lyndia who she could count on. This proven when her elder twin let her guard down so that she could land the blow that sealed her. She had hoped that she could help and ended up being the reason her sister fell.

"Lana, you're thinking about the past again?" Lyndia's voice snappd Lana out of it.

"Uh, yeah I was. Just thinking about what I don't want to happen again." Lana admitted to her twin.

"Don't worry, it won't ever happen again. I know what they did, I can ensure that none of us fall victim to it again. I won't...will never go back to that state, EVER again." Lyndia's urgency showed her seriousness.

Though the enunciation of the word 'ever' surprised Lana, it made her smile. This was her older sister, even though her lower magical power certainly didn't suit her. It was the fire that made Lyndia the greatest several ages ago. But most importantly, it was the sister she was proud to stand beside. Again, watching her elder sister walk from the cover of the tree where she had been resting, Lana noticing the proud warrior looked over the horizon and shut her eyes.

"..."

No words came from Lyndia as she raised her arms and felt the passing breeze brush her skin, felt the sea breeze wash along some of her fur. For the first time in ages she was allowed to feel this against her fur, as in her hedgehog form; something that she had missed for a long time. It was nice, but her body felt so worn down. Even after all the sleep she'd gotten, she was tired from being forced to trudge on almost endlessly. With a smile, she looked back on it and knew it was over, now she had to explore her experienced under that influence.

She knew that evil force well, the dread she gained from just her thoughts was enough to say how great her will for survival was. Never giving in under the pressure and most importantly remembering to keep the enemy in mind. The way that mass thought, constantly working behind the shadows to manipulate. It had her doing the very same thing, exercising little power on her own end. There was a cunning in the patterns she remembered, a vile intelligence backing it. Just then, something clicked inside of her mind. The Overlanders, all of those who would in fact be eager for power would answer it.

"Lana! I need you to get mother, right away. I have something to tell her." Lyn's face was serious and soon a grin broke out.

"Sure thing, I'll be right back!" Lana was already half running out towards the edge of the cliffs.

Without any fear, Lana jumped off of the cliff and unfolded small, dragon wings suited to her hedgehog shape. As she felt a rising gust catch under her wings, she let it raise her to the small cave in the side of the cliff where her mother was staying. Unlike her children, she preferred the solitude. And though her daughter, Lana approached respectfully and with care. One should never be too complacent, even with their parent.

"What is it, Lana? I sense apprehension in you. But...that aside, you've come with purpose." the Matriarch looked up from her meditation then.

"Just the caution you've trained into me, mother. As for my reason for coming, Lyndia has something to share with you. She is urgent, so I believe it to be very important." Lana relayed exactly what she felt was true.

The regal gown she wore seemed unimpeded by her shift to a smaller state of being: to that of an indigo hedgehog, some 4 feet in height, with dragon wings of a 12-foot span. She stepped to her daughter and bid her to rise, offering Lana her hand. Wordlessly asking she'd fly with her, it was something Lana fondly remembered. Accepting her mother's hand, the pair walked towards the mouth of the cave and both jumped.

As the gust aided the pair in rising, both flew back up to the top of cliff edge and landed with ease.

Lyndia stood waiting for the pair near the tree she had been waiting eagerly. The light in her eyes told that she had something important to share, a thought that she'd now had several thoughts backing. As the two approached her, she walked towards the pair and met the approach they made halfway.

"Lyn, you are looking better." the tone of the Queen's voice was bright, full of a gentleness that she wished to show so long ago.

"Yes, mother I'm doing well. Just need a little longer to recover, but that's not why I asked you here." Lyn's smile grew into a familiar grin.

Something that the Queen-Mother knew meant doom for the enemies of the Drakehedge Clan. A happy sign for her that she had something.

"What is it, Lyn? Tell me everything." her attention was not fully on her child.

"I know what the dark mass of arcane is doing. Or rather, what it will be doing. To be blunt, it will probably find pawns, Overlanders and Mobians alike who want power. Offering its magic, it will try to slow us from finding its location." Lyn's explanation hit home.

It was a tactic that all present knew they'd used. She'd killed many a human warrior who was possessed by the black mist. This was something that she seemed less eager to continue to do so many millennia later. They'd have to be more careful, as she knew that life was heralded as paramount. It was something that Sonic and his friends would fight them over.

Despite the fact that power was against them in the raw, it mattered not. It was something that they could not do: Their kin, long since deceased would never have forgiven them. To take the life of another who shared their blood. Lyndia would sooner have considered inaction before that time would pass. Ignoring something that wasn't going to pass, she looked ahead to a solution.

The Queen seemed to be understanding and put a hand on the shoulder of her eldest before speaking, "Worry not, Lyndia. We'll stop this evil before it festers. I wish for closure on this event, this ancient evil's destruction will be all we require to move on with life."

Only reinvigorated by her the return of her eldest, it had been despite their waning powers, the Drakehedge Clan's royal blood had all been reawakened. Something that was not expected to ever happen again in the world, it was no longer a lonely slumber. Instead now, it was a great shift of potential. Her mind constructed a plan, even with the haze of millennia spent in slumber; a certain sharpness that she'd retained.

"This force intends to revive, all of the power that has been started, the various sources are to culminate at one point in this world. Where we are weakest, in fact, I know the place well. In days past, this feat would be nothing. For us now, I don't believe that any beyond perhaps Wushan and Lana would remain unhindered by this land's drain." the reasoning was sound, came with her experiences.

"You can't mean we are to send little Shan and Lana in alone, can you?" Lyn's fiery spirit had her protesting this course of action.

Even though her mother had not finished speaking, this was nothing that she could allow. As the eldest, she had to look after her twin and her younger brother. Though her intentions were met with a single raised finger from the clan's Matriarch.

"Calm yourself, Lyndia. I have no intention of sending our youngest in alone. But we are to trust our new friends, after I bond Wushan and Lana's magical prowess together. They should be able to better regulate the draining process or negate it." this was where the intellect and experience showed its shimmer.

The words of her mother had both surprised and pleased her. Lyndia had faith in Sonic's group since they had been partially responsible for giving her more control. It had helped her to wear down the bonds between herself and that vile power, before finally managing the split. This plan was far better, even though there was still risk. Lyn knew that the arcane could not possess the Mobians as easily as Overlanders, but the lure was tremendous.

As if she read her daughter's mind, the Queen again, continued to explain her plan.

"We must explain the dangers of this power, that it is not like the usual expanse of magic explored by anyone of the previous age. As this most vile and viscous magic is corrosive, and enveloping in nature. It will attempt to smother its victim and bring them to believe there is only one chance to escape." she shuddered at the thought of it.

The two of their clansmen that had been lost were both enveloped by that dark cloud, their magic and life-force all removed from them violently. A sapping that was unlike any other, at least until the Drakehedge managed a strong spell of resistance. The spell, there was a greater chance that she could apply it to their hedgehog kin. She would have to work out some quick versions to suit the other species present.

"Gather Sonic and his friends, I would speak with them all. We have much to discuss." though it was sudden, the gears were turning and it was for the better.

As long as Sonic and his friends were willing to trust the Queen-Mother of the Drakehedge, they would stand a better chance of crossing the arcane's threshold. She hoped to fill them in on everything she knew, both personal and spoken word from other of her people. Lyndia would also share her experiences, what they might expect from it. All for the sake of preparation, she'd hoped they would be willing to trust her.

Even though she knew that they might not, given her threat to scorch the world should her eldest perish. Now that was no longer the case, she had a complete renewal of faith. Such was a revival like she had never experienced and it brought her youthful, but mature figure some spirit. They would save Mobius and ensure that their clan was one that once more, brought peace to the people. The sound of her daughter's return brought her from her thoughts.

"They must finish conferring on Tails' result, but they will be out shortly, mother." Lana beamed a smile.

Finally, she felt at ease around her mother. No longer was she in fear that her mother would decide to end the world over something beyond reason. Sensing her mother's natural ease and comfort, she chose to curl into her side and just rest against her mother's side. She was met by a one armed hug and a wing draping over her shoulder. How long had it been since she felt this nice?

No later than some 5 minutes later had Sonic, Shadow, and Wushan emerged from the workshop. The trio headed over to the latter's mother and waited in silence for a moment, expecting her to relay what they'd been told of. Sonic seemed to be receptive, while Shadow was skeptical, since he needed little help solving any trouble. Wushan seemed to be floored by what he was hearing. She explained the crux of the warnings in detail, there was nothing that could easily be done against the magic: but keeping one's heart closed to the evil temptation was high.

"You must be careful, it will tempt you with any possibility...with the fact that this magic can do nearly anything, all comes at an extreme cost. For yourself and whatever that wish of yours might be, just be exceedingly careful about this." Queen Elensia's words spoke of experience, as she had been tempted herself.

The pull was immensely strong, but any stalwart heart would be able to hold back the urge. She had trust in those present, even the arrogant Shadow. Nothing about this was going to be safe, as the inevitable meeting would happen. As she thought about introducing them to a pull by magic, she felt it best to see if they were familiar with it.

"Have you ever been lured by magic..? Any of you?" Queen Elensia was far from sure if any had even experienced it.

"Can't say I have, but there hasn't been anything I wasn't able to overcome so far, I wouldn't worry too hard now. I make my own way, I don't give way to anything, that's all I need in my mind." Sonic wasn't wondered about it, and his character echoed this fearless nature.

"There's no temptation greater than freedom, but I am the Master Emerald's guardian, I won't bend to anything." The brave words of Knuckles, absolutely full of his stubborn will to make things work his way.

"And you have seen my strength, there is no need to ask. Nothing can compare to the ultimate power, no magic or arcana of some old piece of history." Shadow curtly replied, uncaring of who she was, her power, or the prestige of her title. He'd never heard of her people and was here to defend Mobius, on behalf of Maria's wish.

"With such will, you should pass with ease. Even if you don't think you need it, such is best for your exposure to it." The will possessed by the Mobians of this age was certainly impressive, the Queen admired this about that. She found her test would be something that would be worthy of testing, something brief to see if these heroes were as intense as their statements felt. She tried to make sure that her son knew what she was up to, as it would be a test of will that was important. Elensia also expected Wushan to explain it in brief, before she went about the execution of it. All of this delivered with no words, nothing but a few looks that was passed on, within several seconds of her saying this.

Wushan hesitated, knowing that none of those present enjoyed being given a command. But his mother wouldn't trust them, unless they passed her little exam and he knew it. This was a clash of cultures, the very difference of a few thousand years coming to crash against each other right now, oh boy...what fun. His mother was a woman of immense vision, but she also didn't listen to those who wouldn't be on her level. He tried his best here, to make sure that his friends knew what she was going to be doing.

"Listen guys, this is going to be a test of wills, I know you don't want to do it. But this exposure may be best, keep true to your hearts. Stick to your guns, this spell is oppressive and will simulate maybe 50% at most of the pull that the arcane is capable of." Wushan had never faced the arcane, but he knew this spell of his mother's and how strong its call was.

This would be a test whether they liked it or not and it was already underway, and Queen Elensia of the Drakhedge Clan, activated the spell...a very different air began to fill the area. Like it or not, it was game time for three chosen candidates of the Drakehedge test.

(End Chapter)

Here we have a rough time come across for everyone, difficulty has been met with unity and strength. The outcome, is one brighter for the entire group, with the Tale of the Hellion Rider drawing closer to its climax. The plan of the arcane is outlined, but then too so is the plan of the heroes! Who will succeed in their attempts first? Only time will tell~!

Until the next time adieu!

-Quentix