DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Sonic or Shadow or any of the SEGA characters. Just the original ones you'll be meeting.
Enjoy!
DIAMONDS
Episode 1: Return to Bygone
~Mallory's POV~
The plane ride home felt like an eternity. A girl could only listen to the same few songs over and over again before they get old! But, the anticipation of returning to my childhood home was exciting. I hadn't seen Bygone Island in years, nor had I seen my friends who still lived out that way. Granted, they lived in the same area as me back when I first left and we were all in Mobius. But, eventually, they all left and moved away. So, it was starting to get lonely out there.
I took a breath, finally changing the playlist on my MP3 player. A playlist of all my original songs. No, I'm not arrogant or full of myself, I just like some of my originals and it was a good way to share them with my friends for now. One day I'll sell my music.
"Give me a chance, at this sweet romance. Gotta have you to myself, gotta have you to myself."
The start of my song "Whispers of the Heart" played through the earbuds and I smiled, a warmth spreading to my cheeks.
I left Bygone Island at 14, moving in with my mother's parents after my Grandpa Belle passed away. I had missed the scenery of Bygone Island and the wonderful scent of my Grandma Belle's cooking. She always made the best food. It kind of helped that she was a chief before retirement.
I didn't want to leave her after Grandpa Belle passed. I wanted to stay and make sure she was taken care of. But, she insisted that I'd go, saying that Mobius had other opportunities for me. So I had begrudgingly left the only home I knew.
But now I was 18 and a letter from Grandma Belle asked for my return. I couldn't agree more. It was time for a fresh start in my childhood home.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please, fasten your seatbelts. We've arrived on Bygone Island," The pilot explained over the intercom, making me jump up and down in excitement.
Finally…I'm home.
~Shadow's POV~
I watched the plane fly through the sky as it slowly dipped to land at the airport. More tourists and annoying pests, just to ruin the sanctuary of this island. It had been more developed since the last time I was out in town, but it still had a "small-town charm" as I've heard Amy say.
I took a breath, walking from the cliff-top and down the path toward the airport. I wasn't expecting anyone. I was a loner. It's who I was. But the airport was on the way to town and I had to go past it if I wanted to enter.
As I walked, my mind kept going to thoughts of my life before, the thoughts of the ARRK and…her.
I shook the thoughts away. I promised myself I wouldn't go back to that time. I promised myself I wouldn't go back to my past and try to find ways to rewrite it. I wasn't falling down that rabbit hole again.
Finally making it toward the airport, I walked right past the door, heading for the center of town when a jolt caused me to stumble forward by an inch. I growled, knowing it was some tourist who just bumped into me.
"I'm so sorry!" A female voice said, making me turn, ready to snap, ready to tell her to watch where she was walking…when I stopped and stared in surprise. Her bright, icy-blue eyes captivated me, sparkling and sparking something in my memory.
…
Maria…
"I didn't mean to bump you," She said, her voice now sounding like a melody above the calm breeze blowing her long lilac-purple quill hair. "You okay?" She asked.
I was frozen in place, words escaping me. Her eyes…bright and, dare I say, beautiful. I hadn't seen such bright blue eyes in my life, not since Maria. They were so much like hers that I don't know why I ever pulled my eyes away. But I did, and I regret what I did next.
I walked away.
I walked away from her, with my mind racing and my heart pumping.
What was this feeling all of a sudden?
~Mallory's POV~
I watched as the enigmatic hedgehog walked away, his jet-black fur with red streaks was a perfect contrast to his demeanor.
"Alright, rude," I mumbled, rolling my eyes before looking over and seeing a graying elderly hedgehog woman walking up, a bright smile glistening in her bright green eyes. "Grandma!" I called, grabbing my carry-on and racing over.
"Oh, Mal!" Grandma exclaimed as she wrapped me in a long and sweet hug. "Oh, my sweet, sweet, Mal!" I giggled, returning the embrace before pushed me away and looked at me, keeping her hands on my shoulders. "Let me look at you."
"Grandma," I jokingly whined. But my playful demeanor fell when she grinned and brushed some of my quill-like hair behind my shoulder.
"You look just like your mother," She said, and my smile fell into a soft grin.
When I was 8, both my parents passed away in two separate accidents. They were divorced, so it wasn't like they were hanging out together randomly. But, my mom had custody. She made sure I was well taken care of and was always there to support me and my music. But, she passed away in a car crash, leaving me behind to go to my father. Only…he was murdered. He had enemies and the person responsible was caught and thrown into jail. That's why I ended up living with my father's parents.
"Thanks," I said, grinning.
"Come on! Let's get you to your new home. You must be exhausted!" Grandma said, making me giggle as we walked back to town, talking and catching up on life's eventful challenges.
However, my brain was going back to that enigmatic hedgehog, seeing his crimson eyes shining with something other than annoyance. I sensed his annoyance the moment I bumped into him. I sensed his anger boiling. Some of the wonders having some kind of empathic ability. But, when he looked at me, his eyes softened and his demeanor shifted to one of calm and…recognition?
I don't know, I might be reading into it.
As we walked down the path toward the apartments, I caught sight of a lot of new buildings and tourist attractions. Bygone Island used to be a simple island with little to no buildings, just huts and some houses. But now, there were streets and buildings, and I got the sense of a Hawaii vibe throughout town. And as much as I missed the simple side of Bygone Island, this new look suited it nicely as well.
"Oh, just wait until Sonic, Amy, and Lucas find out you're here," Grandma said, making me look at her with a warmth spreading through my face. Lucas. I had forgotten about him. I wonder what he was doing now.
…
Wait a minute…
"Did you say Sonic and Amy?" I asked, and she nodded. "They're here?"
"Oh, yeah! Eggman had tried to take over the island before. Sonic, Amy, and a few others protected the place though," Grandma explained.
That was funny because I met Sonic and Amy back in Mobius. We were fast friends and I even tried helping out with Eggman attacks back there as well. But, Sonic being Sonic, he kept saying I was helping just by staying safe. So, I didn't help in battles much.
"Why do you ask?" Grandma asked, shaking me from my thoughts and smiling.
"Oh, I'm sure they told you I met those two in Mobius, right?" I returned and she smiled, nodding. Grandma's smile was infectious, always sending warmth and love to anyone with just a simple smile.
I was so glad to be home.
Walking into the apartment complex, we walked through the foyer and down the hall on the first floor. The first door to my right was my apartment and I couldn't wait to decorate it however I wanted. Taking the key that was taped to the door in an envelope, I unlocked the door and walked in. It wasn't big, or small. It was the perfect size for a girl like me. A decent-sized kitchen with an open concept leading into the living room.
Now, this was unlike any normal apartment, for this one had a second floor which I only assumed had the two beds and two baths that were listed when I looked.
"Oh, Mal! This is perfect!" Grandma said. "It's so spacious! Now, all you need is a man!"
"Grandma," I whined in mock surprise. "You know how I am." She giggled.
"Oh, please! You couldn't wait to get old enough to have your first real relationship." I just rolled my eyes as I set my bag on the couch. It was a fully furbished apartment, which was surprisingly on the house by the owner of the complex. He said it was a welcome home present.
Wasn't complaining.
"So, what's next?" Grandma asked with a clap of her hands.
"I think," I took a breath, noticing the sun slowly setting on this gorgeous day. "I think I'm going to go find Sonic and Amy. It's been a while since I've seen them."
Walking through town alone and at dusk was actually kind of nerve-wracking, especially since it was my first time back in town. It had a different atmosphere, one of eerie silence and quiet moments. I was half tempted to head home and say I'd find them tomorrow, but my strong will to push through overridden that command and I kept going.
Eventually, I found this cute little cafe called 'The Music Bar', and inside I could hear the sound of a band playing live. Oh, I wished something like this would get built when I was younger. I quickly grabbed the handle and walked inside, looking around as people jammed and moved to the sound of the drums, piano, and guitar playing live.
And then…his voice rang out.
I looked over and smiled, seeing Sonic, Sonia, and Manic playing together like they did back in Mobius. It looked like they were just finishing up their performance as Manic stopped playing the drums and Sonic eased up on the guitar. Sonia's piano filled the room with the final line of the song.
"Boost your spirit off the ground./I'm a spark that won't go out./We can go much higher now./Gravity can't hold us down./We're only at the beginning of this one way…dream."
The crowd cheered and applauded, practically begging for more. I cheered just as loud, if not louder which caused Sonic to look over and smile. I waved as he immediately got a playful grin on his face. I knew that grin well. He always wore it when he was up to something either crazy, idiotic, or both.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that someone I've known has just returned home," he said through the microphone, making me stare at him, a playful grin on my face. "Please welcome Miss Mallory Belle to the stage!" Everyone cheered as I walked up, giggling and staring at him with wonder. Sonia was the first to hug me, whispering a 'welcome home' into my ear. Manic just nodded since he couldn't get around the drumset very easily.
"What are you doing, Sonny?" I teased as he too hugged me.
"Thought the town should know you're home," he said. "Welcome back."
"Thanks," I said.
"Now, good people, Mallory here can sing like no other," Sonic said into the microphone, making me giggle again as I was handed a microphone from someone on the side. "Who wants to hear that!?" The crowd cheered again and Sonic just gave me a playful look. I giggled again and spoke to the crowd.
"Alright, alright! Let's get this over with!" I declared, making more cheers erupt as I signaled Sonia to start the song.
(SONG: "Bright" - Julie and the Phantoms)
She played the piano, which had a synth sound to it. Its colorful notes filled my mind and for the first time…I felt at home.
MALLORY: Sometimes I think/I'm falling down/I wanna cry/I'm calling out/for one more try/to feel alive./And when I feel/lost and alone/I know that I/can make it home./Fight through the dark/and find the spark./Life is a risk, but I will take it./Close my eyes and jump./Together, I think that we can make it./Come on, let's run!
Immediately, Sonic and Manic came in, beating on the drums and guitar with ease as the chorus came up.
MALLORY: And rise/through the night/you and I/we will fight the shine together/bright forever./And rise/through the night/you and I/we will fight the shine together./Bright forever!
As Sonic continued playing his guitar, he positioned himself in front of his microphone and sang the next verse as I rested mine for a bit.
SONIC: In times that I/doubted myself/I felt like I/needed some help./Stuck in my head/with nothing left./I feel something/around me now/so unclear/lifting me out./I found the ground/I'm marching on.
SONIC and MANIC: Life is a risk, but we will take it./Close my eyes and jump./Together, I think that we can make it.
ALL: Come on, let's run!/And rise/through the night/you and I/we will fight the shine together./Bright forever./And rise/through the night/you and I/we will fight the shine together./Bright forever!
SONIC: In times that I/doubted myself/I felt like I/needed some help./Stuck in my head/with nothing left.
MALLORY: And when I feel/lost and alone/I know that I/can make it home./Fight through the dark/and find the SPARK!
ALL: And rise (rise)/through the night (through the night)/you and I (you and I)/we will fight the shine together (we will shine together)./Bright forever (bright forever)./And rise (rise)/through the night (through the night)/you and I (you and I)/we will fight the shine together./Bright FOREVER!
(End of the song)
The audience cheered with eager enthusiasm as I bowed with the band. It felt nice being able to sing with Sonic and his siblings again. I remember when Sonic first heard me sing that he thought an angel came from heaven. His words, not mine.
But, the moment slowly ebbed away as I saw a familiar pair of crimson eyes staring through the window.
~Shadow's POV~
Hearing her sing, and watching her perform…a sense of familiarity clenched my chest. Something about her kept coming to my mind, something I couldn't place. She seemed familiar, not just by her eyes being as blue as Maria's, but her essence in general. It's like I knew her from another time and place.
But where?
All of a sudden, a scream echoed in the center of town, making me perk up. Usually, I didn't heed someone screaming. Usually, I walked away. But…something about this one seemed off.
I looked and my eyes widened as a shadowy figure slithered through the sky, causing chaos and havoc around town. Again, I would have walked away if I hadn't seen the lilac hedgehog run out of The Music Bar, staring in fear and worry. She turned to me, her eyes holding something other than fear.
Determination.
"Well don't just stand there!" She yelled. "Help us!" She raced out to the battle, that faker and his siblings racing after her. They started the fight, though Sonic kept trying to get the lilac hedgehog to stay put, but she was stubborn it seemed.
I wanted to leave. Wanted to walk away and never think of this again. But the look in her eyes…a memory flashed when I saw that determination and resolve behind those blue irises. And because of that…I raced into the fight.
~Mallory's POV~
I used the powers I was born with, the pure, violet energy that coursed through my veins. I tried to aim it up at this enigmatic entity, only getting screams and attacks back. I dodged one expertly as I watched Sonic and his siblings spin dash right through him. It was like he was a ghost! We couldn't land a hit on him.
He went to blast another attack at me. It was building in the palms of his hands, making me go to dodge, only to trip and fall with a sickening thud.
"Mallory!" Sonic yelled. He may have been the fastest thing alive, but with him farther away, practically back by The Music Bar with his siblings, I didn't see him reaching me in time.
I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impending pain that was for sure on its way when it screeched in pain instead. I looked up, seeing lights in the form of spears going through him like nothing. Smoke billowed from the holes like steam and I looked in the direction they had come from.
Those crimson eyes.
"Shadow?!" Sonic called as he was by my side now, helping me stand up. "Why are you helping?!"
…
At least I have his name now.
"Do you want me to leave?!" He scolded, sending another wave of spears at this monster. "Or do you want my help?!"
With a humph from Sonic, he raced back into battle, using all his old moves that he usually did. Sonia and Manic tried to help the best they could, but eventually, they stayed on the sidelines. It was like this monster couldn't die and Shadow's spears were doing little damage, though it still hurt him.
…
Wait…light…that's it.
I concentrated, closing my eyes tight as I could feel my violet energy shift in color. This had to work. I wasn't going to take no for an answer if he didn't. I opened my eyes and saw the new color of my energy was now icy blue and with a grunt, I shot it out, sending a wave of it toward the figure.
The monstrous figure turned right as the blast hit it and it screeched out in pain, dissolving into nothing but smoke and mist.
I took a breath, wiping my brow from the battle as I watched Shadow getting ready to leave. I raced up. "Wait," I said, making him stop as Sonic walked over, he went to stop me but I brushed him off. "Shadow, right?"
He stayed quiet, but his eyes looked back at me.
"Thanks," I said. "For the help."
He grinned, something I think was rare since Sonic's silent gasp echoed in my ear before he walked off. At least he wasn't rude that time.
"That's strange," Sonic said. "He usually doesn't help."
"Yeah," Sonia said. "Maybe he's changed?"
"No, Shadow never changes his mind," Manic quipped. "Or, maybe he did because of Mal here!"
"Me? How would I be able to do that?" I asked and Manic shrugged, not explaining anything further.
I decided to brush that off and just be glad he did help. I might have died if he hadn't.
~Shadow's POV~
I took a breath, leaning against a tree trunk in front of a small cottage for a house. The battle, though wasn't anything too serious, still left me with a mix of memories I don't remember ever having. And they all involved that lilac hedgehog.
"What's going on?" I thought out loud.
…
"Shadow?" I looked up, seeing the graying elderly hedgehog woman I'd been talking to for a while. Not in a romantic way, just…for camaraderie and help. She had some insight into things that I didn't know about. She might have been able to help me with these odd memories.
"Is something wrong, dear?" She asked, her motherly nature poking through like a rainbow amid a sunny shower.
"I think there just might be," I sighed, feeling her presence near me almost immediately. I never had a mom, mainly being created by a scientist in space tended to make that the reason, but this woman held a kind of nature a mother should from the mothers I've seen in town. She treated me like a son.
"What's wrong?" She asked, and I sighed again, looking into her green eyes.
"Tell me about those Chaos Diamonds again," I asked.
~Mallory's POV~
Walking back into my apartment after that performance and that battle, I was ready to sleep until noon tomorrow. I kicked off my shoes and was getting ready to figure out the master bedroom when something on the table caught my attention. A book, nestled and resting in the center of the coffee table. I walked around the couch and sat, staring at it for a moment as I reached out, pressing a delicate hand over the spine and cover.
I knew this book. I'd seen it in my Grandpa Belle's bookshelf growing up.
The title read 'Legend of the Chaos Diamonds', and a swirl of memories took control of my mind. Memories of my grandfather telling me the stories of these agent myths, memories of their powers that ignited most of the stories I've written. And because of these memories, a pull on my heartstrings made my eyes tear up.
I opened the cover, finding a note in my grandfather's script. With a shaky hand, I picked it up and read through the words as I leaned back into the cushions of the couch, its comfort palpable.
'My Dearest Mallory,
'I hope this letter finds you well. As I write these words, I can't help but smile, knowing you are reading this letter and holding a piece of my heart in your hands.
'I want you to know how proud I am of the person you've become. Your passion for music and your kind heart have always brought me joy. I wish I could be there to witness all the amazing things you'll achieve in the future.
'I have told your grandmother to give this book to you when you turned 18 and if you're reading this letter now, then happy belated birthday, my dear. I remember how you always loved looking through this one book "Legend of the Chaos Diamonds" when you were 9. I saw how it sparked your imagination and creativity in ways I never thought possible. You enjoyed this book and now, it belongs to you.
'As you journey through life, remember that the bonds of family and friendship are precious treasures. Cherish the moments you share with your loved ones, for they are the true gems that illuminate our lives.
'Though I may not be with you physically, my love and support will always be with you, guiding you through every chapter of your story. Keep dreaming, creating, and reaching for the stars.
'With all my love,
'Grandpa'
I wiped the tear from my cheek as I placed the letter on the table gently. That was getting framed and kept forever. I looked back at the book and turned the page, memories of picking it up and reading it when I knew how filled my mind with nostalgia and love.
"I miss you, Grandpa."
~End OF CHAPTER~
