Chapter 31 -

"...and that is the goal my friend," Ivo explained. Lifting his right arm up and doing a curl, he brought open hand near his face. It was in the position of holding a ball.

"This is the pursuit I have endeavored. It has always been the same since before the war."

"..." Dr. Swvedstin responded with just listening. His expression was stoic while sporting a half frown.

"You do agree that allowing the Ameliorates to fester unchecked is detrimental to the rest of humanity...to the ones that remain here on Mobius."

"You can say the same thing about our race doctor," the other scientist informed. "We are especially known for...morphing environments to our specific adaptable creature comforts. Others on the council claimed homo-sapiens were...parasitic to Mobius. How would you differentiate that claim to the Ameliorates?"

"That's because we are superior. Look around you," Robotnik stated. Moving his arms to his side and up, he gestured to what was around them.

"We have created this. Generation after generation, our technological growth has gone through leaps and bounds in advancement. Even with massive exodus of humanity to settle on a habitable planet, we continue to grow and develop. Places in the west and east continue to evolve technology and science. Ameliorates are not capable of such grand magnitude and scale."

"Ameliorates, given their properties, are capable of such technological advancements," Dr. Swvedstin argued. "If they aren't educated, then they would mirror a human child who was never educated."

"Given their properties dear friend," Ivo repeated then chuckled. "Tell me Dr. Swvedstin...what was the destiny of those pests? What was their purpose of being?"

"..."

"Oh come now dear friend...there is no shame in stating facts."

"The sole purpose of that race was not what it was intended for," the older scientist stated firmly and crossed his arms over his chest.

"NOT WHAT IT WAS INTENDED FOR!? BWWHHAHAHAHAHAHA!" the larger scientist laughed out loud. His signature evil mirth made the other male frown a little bit more. After the man calmed down and wiped his eyes, a smug grin was on his face.

"Can it Robotnik," the doctor stated irritated. Moving his right arm towards the red-orange mustache man, he pointed an accusing finger at him.

"I've told you before...my thoughts and opinions since the war council years have changed. I don't care what the initial purpose of those subjects were for. I don't care what the rest of humanity intended to do with them. They are here on this floating rock in space just like us. If they survive or not, does not matter to me."

"Then join me dear friend," Ivo emphasized. Leaning forward and moving his arms, his left hand was on the table. His right arm was aiming at the other scientist with the palm up and fingers out.

"Together...we can cull them. Robotize them. Make them useful. Give them all a singular purpose," he continued then closed his hand into a fist. "It will end their hunger. End their suffering. End their fear. End their mindless struggle to live in a world they were not supposed to be in."

"No," Dr. Swvedstin stated firmly. Narrowing his eyes, he leaned forward and put both hands on the table.

"Let me repeat myself doctor...I will not conquer a race in the pursuit to correct them. I will not give in to guilt like our foolish counselors did in other factions. To coward away to another planet in an act of righting our wrongs is poppycock," he continued with his voice agitated. "If you wish to destroy and terraform them...find someone else that shares your ethnic cleansing."

"..." the heavier man reacted with a tense smile. Leaning back in his seat, he gave a sigh and shook his head.

"I will not fight you dear friend. Though I feel we will have conflicts, your outlook is not that unfavorable."

"Gee...thanks," the older gentleman replied then stood up. "On that note, we should part."

"Kicking me out already?"

"...I can have one of my servants demonstrate that for you...if you so desire."

"Preferably...not," Ivo stated then stood up. "In any case dear friend...it was good to chat again."

"The feeling is...ambivalent Dr. Robotnik," Dr. Swvedstin remarked only blinking. "I will have one of my escorts retrieve your things and see you out."

"How kind."

Hearing a mechanical being coming into the room, Ivo turned to see who it was. It was the same one that took his firearm. Seeing it never address either of them, it gestured to the room it came from. Not turning back to say parting words to the scientist, Robotnik followed the machine. Getting back to the metal head's station, the robot gave back his possessions.

[Thank you for stopping by...Dr. Robotnik. Enjoy your day] the escort bot stated.

"Hmph," the scientist spoke. Turning around, he left the lab building. Getting back to the courtyard, there was a different automated taxi waiting. Boarding it, the vehicle took him back to the air harbor.

'Though it was nice to...air out our different perspectives,' he thought. Smirking to no one, he moved the thumb drive around in his hand.

'That old fart doesn't realize the data he handed over to me...with this...my conquest will only accelerate,' he continued. Chuckling out loud, the onboard computer spoke.

[Any place to visit sir? Or back to the airport?]

"Airport unit...I now have urgent business to conduct."

[Very well]

'Soon...that land around the manufacturing base...will be all mine. It will mark the beginning of my world domination,' Ivo said in his mind. Chuckling again, and uncontrolled cackle came out of him as the taxi continued to its given destination.


"Hmpp-armp-mmmhmm," Triselle sounded from ravishing the food in her hands.

Once all the contents were devoured, she was able to get a hold of herself. Feeling the pains of hunger fade, her mind and body began to be less strained. Her focus began to sharpen as a fog lifted from her brain. The edge that she had from being overly emotional was controllable now and not untamed. Blinking and looking around, scanning and observing things were not a taxing burden as before.

Recalling where Speed had walked to, she moved her eyes in that direction. The small boulder that had the remains of food on it, he was nowhere to be seen. About to move, she halted from hearing slurping sounds still. Glancing to her left, Malaria was still hovering over the mutant lizard. As if looking caused a reaction, the bat woman pulled her head back.

Seeing a glimpse of her extended fangs, red blood dripped down from her teeth and lips. The two puncture holes in the reptile's neck were not visible. However, there were two crimson spots to where the liquid pooled out slowly. Watching her close her mouth and stare at the sky, a physical tremor was seen going through the dungeon sister. Pressing her lips together, Triselle felt her fur begin to stand on end. Looking around herself for anything to use, the rock she threw was nearby. Reaching and grabbing it, she watched what the woman would do next while keeping her weapon behind her.

"..." Malaria spoke taking a slow deep inhale.

The large drink of the iron enriched liquid seemed to revitalize herself. The psychotic crimson, black, and white world began to shift and fade. Color of what everything was supposed to be came into view. Shapes of objects and things began solidifying to what she knew were true. Haunting whispers of everyone and everything began to quiet down to nothing. Flashbacks of enemies and dying allies from the Great War began to fade from sight and mind's eye.

'...I...live...again...' she whispered into her mind.

Closing her eyes and exhaling, she concentrated on what had happened. Remembering what the amputee hedgehog did and said, the area of where he slugged her tingled a little. Touching the area and grimacing a little, it was tender. Stopping to think about what she just felt, a slight smile came to her face. The sensation of pain gave her further evidence that she was alive and not trapped in her subconscious.

"...and now..." the bat woman began opening her eyes. Seeing the scenery around her, she squinted and put a hand over her eyes.

"Where is here?" she continued muttering.

Seeing that it was outside, it seemed to be nowhere near the Sanctum. Seeing vegetation and being at the base of a mountain, the soft howl of wind made her blink. Her ears perked up from hearing slight movement behind her. Turning her head 90 degrees to her right, there was someone sitting on the ground looking at her. Seeing the individual was one of the prisoners, it was the one that had given up hope. Memory of her sisters taunting the female canine came to mind.

Shaking her head internally, she slowly got up on her feet. Her mentality of being a warden was about to kick into gear seeing that she had escaped. At the same time, the aspect that Speed murdered her sisters, the crawlers, and her ill-devoted servant without much effort came to mind. Deciding for the time being to stand down, the former prisoner was not under her rule or in need of salvation. Scanning around herself, something felt off and began to pat herself down mildly.

"..." Triselle spoke tensed up.

When the bat woman looked at her still with a bloody mouth, more of her fur began to stand on end. As if learned from behavioral conditioning, the dog breed was expecting a harsh ridicule. Waiting for the tongue lashing for several seconds in silence, it never came. Watching Malaria, her eyes began to wonder then begin to pat herself a little. Sighing in relief internally, she still kept a cautious eye on the what the torturous killer would do next. Feeling enough strength in her legs, she slowly stood up.

'Where...is it?' Malaria asked in her mind.

Not able to find it, she was oddly not frustrated. Slightly confused from knowing she has always worn the accessory around her neck, she was baffled why she felt slight relief instead. Twisting her head left and right a couple of times, it sort of rid of the avalanche of thoughts and questions brewing in her head. Deciding to turn and face the mountain, her eyes drifted downward. Spotting something and walking forward to a small boulder, it had gathered food resting on a flat portion of it.

'That woman doesn't have strength to hunt and gather...so it must be him,' the bat woman pondered. 'She must also know where he went to.'

"...you..." Malaria called out. Turning to look at the emaciated woman, Triselle just stared while holding something behind her.

"...yes?"

"Who gathered this?"

"Speed did."

"...Speed?" female chiropteran repeated with a confused look. "...who is...that?"

"That is his...current name," the canine informed shifting a little. "You call him the Vermilion Witness."

"Hmmm," Malaria responded with staring the woman down and not blinking. "Is this his portion for us to salvage?"

"He had a handful and gave me a handful...so it is yours if you are...still hungry after you feasted."

"..." she responded with blinking. Turning her head and looking back at the food, seeing it did not conjure her wanting to eat it. Deciding to forego any stalling, she turned to face the former prisoner.

"Where is Vermilion?"

"I'm...not positive," Triselle answered and fingered the rock in her hands. "He went past the boulder you are at. I am not sure where he went."

"..." the bat woman commented with narrowing her eyes a little.

About to open her mouth, a weak and airy moan was heard. Both turned their heads to the downed mutant lizard and froze. Kneeling next to the reptile, Speed raised his left hand. Wielding a black glossy looking rock, it seemed to be crudely formed into a blade. In rapid sessions of chopping, Speed cut the monster's tail into meat slabs. It happened so fast that the blood only came out after he was done cutting. Not stopping his quick movement, he moved to the back of the reptile then dashed away.

Within a couple of seconds, Speed came back with an arm full of twigs and sticks. Dropping them all on the ground and arranging them to look like a campfire, he grabbed a some to separate from the pile. Putting two twigs perpendicular to each other, he held the bottom one with his foot and the top one with his hand. Rubbing them back and forth with his hand, he started slow then progressively got faster. When his hand started to become a blur, a small fire erupted under his hand. Jerking his hand away and whipping it a little, he tossed the two burning sticks into the pile.

'...geez...' Triselle said in her head looking impressed. 'That's handy...if you can move faster than the eye can see.'

"Vermilion," Malaria called him out. "What happened? Where are we?"

"..." Speed responded with grabbing a stick. Poking the other wooden pieces that were not on fire yet, the flame began to spread to the remaining ones. Grabbing the rest of the sticks, he walked back to the dying mutant creature.

"..." the bat woman reacted frowning from being ignored. "Are you deaf now instead of mute?'

'Why is he trying to piss her off?' the dog woman wondered in anxiety. Seeing the frustration growing on the other female's face, she silently wished he left her in the inferno he caused in the dungeon. The thought of her getting her whip out and dealing lashes made her body and mind shake and ache. Hearing the cracks of the small blaze, she shifted her eyes to see what he was doing.

As the campfire was growing, he began to skewer the tail slabs. Fitting a rough equal portion of the meat on three twigs, he lifted all three in one hand. Lifting it over the fire, he began to roast and cook them. It didn't take long for the smell to be picked up by both females. Triselle felt uncontrollable saliva develop in her mouth when her nose picked up the scent. Not having cooked meat in a long-time made the aroma so powerful to her. It made her forget about being wary and cautious around Malaria.

'...why...is he refusing to speak or address me?' the bat woman thought.

Getting the scent of the meat cooking, it wasn't repulsive or savory. Despite not be captured like the canine was with smell, the aspect of eating meat cooked conjured up flashbacks. Memories of the past before forming the underground establishment came to her mind's eye. There were several points in time that she had meals with various people. Shaking her head vigorously, the visions faded away.

'...what are you trying to enlighten me to Vermilion?' she wondered with ambivalance. Narrowing her eyes at him, she began to walk towards him.

'...he stated...he would reform me...after unveiling the curtain of lies I swore to.'

'...is this...a test to a new pilgrimage?'

Moving around the fire, she stopped and stood next to him. Looking down, he did not return the gaze. He only turned his hand over for the other side of the meat to cook. Forcing an air of irritation through her nose, she kneeled down and sat on the ground. Without asking or speaking, she reached her right hand towards his. Grabbing the base of one of the skewers, he loosened his grip on it.

'...this...is too awkward and weird,' Triselle thought from what she was seeing.

Feeling that things were stable, she began walking toward them. Moving over to his free side, she stopped near him and sat on the ground. Reaching to his left hand and getting a skewer, he let go of it. Watching both of them, neither of them looked at each other or at her. Only the fire in front of them was addressing their attention. Focusing on what was in her hands and the makeshift campfire, only the crackling of the meat and flame was spoken between them.


Passing through the gate portal, Sonic entered a new world. Immediately submerged in liquid again, it seemed to be a lake of the silver, gray, and white. Feeling himself becoming clammy all over from how it felt on his fur and skin, he held his breath. Blinking from not feeling his eyes hurt in the strange pool, he frantically looked around for an escape. While looking straight forward, light shined through the murky water at an angle.

'That must be the surface!' the child thought in a panic. Directing himself upward and towards the illumination, he swam. Feeling his oxygen supply getting limited from not taking air, the boy moved his arms and kicked his feet harder. Seeing the light get closer and closer, his head suddenly came out of the murky feeling pool.

"GAH!" he gasped for air.

Scrambling his arms out of the water, he leaned too far forward. Bringing his hands down, they went back into the water then stopped. Closing his eyes and spitting out the disturbing liquid that entered his mouth, the ground beneath him was solid. Feeling relieved that he wasn't going to drown, his brain started to slow down from its frantic state. Taking a quick number of deep breaths, something felt off.

'...wait a minute...' Sonic wondered. Opening his eyes and looking down, his legs and arms were only half submerged into the large pond he was in.

'Was it...deeper?' he continued in his mind.

Slowly standing up while controlling his breathing, the clammy liquid clingged to him and slowly dripped off his body. Goosebumps littered his skin from the sensation. Shaking himself hard like a dog, a good portion of the fluid came off of him. Despite his feet still being submerged to his ankle, it conflicted with how he swam out of the pool. Blinking several times and doing a slow revolution, he was standing in between of the edge and center of the body of colored water. Despite wanting to get out, the child walked to the center and stopped.

'Why is it...shallow? Wasn't I completely covered?' he asked perplexed.

Seeing at the middle it was only a foot deep, his mind was turning to comprehend. Shaking his head and turning around, he quickly got out of the pool. Shaking himself again, the silver, gray substance still dampened his shoes and legs. Taking his boots off and turning them upside down, a small pour off from each shoe came. Frowning from disliking how the liquid still made him feel clammy, the boy put his footwear on a relatively flat boulder upside down.

Looking around again, the environment was cave. Not knowing where it was, he wondered if there was anyone around. About to call out, he held his tongue from the possibility that there were predators lurking around. Pressing his lips together, he began to walk around the space barefoot. Finding the place similar to the hot spring in Speed's cave dwelling, there were two tunnel openings on one wall. However, the difference was having light shine through the passageways versus darkness.

'Where is the light coming from?' Sonic wondered looking at the walls and ceiling. Seeing them reflect a gloss-like shine, he traced it back to the murky liquid pool. Remembering how it felt against his skin made him shutter. Feeling something odd, he looked down at his legs. Seeing that they were dry made his eyes widen a little.

"...this...is getting too weird," he said to himself.

Turning around and quickly jogging back to the boulder, his boots were still there. Touching one of them, it was dry on the outside. Sticking his hand inside, it was not moist. Feeling a little spooked, he hastily put on his shoes. Tying the laces, he turned around and jogged back to the openings. Looking back and forth between them, his mindset was to get out instead of exploring. Grabbing a rock on the ground, he made a crude "X" on the ground in front of one tunnel.

"...!?" Sonic flinched from hearing something.

Looking up and directing his ears, one pointed to each passageway. A haunting howl emitted softly. Trying to tell himself that it was just wind going through, it seemed to get louder and closer. Turning his head and focusing both ears at the left tunnel, the airy wailing seemed clearer. Hearing something fall behind him, his fur stood on end. Not waiting for something to occur, Sonic bolted down the right tunnel. Running as fast as he could go, he tried to reenact the feeling he had in his dream to go faster.


"I'm surprise. Ya know," the other apartment staffer member stated. Getting a magazine out, she started leafing through the pages. Based on the condition of the material, it looked old.

"Normally you'd be the first person to high tail out of this place when your shift is over. Did something happen during the graveyard time that made you stay?"

"...what?" Chiara asked confused. Blinking and breaking out of her train of thought, she tried to come up with something to answer her question.

"Oh...well...the damn hoodlums on the first floor were at it again," she stated trying to sound like everything was normal. "And then more dumb shit was happening out in the streets. Ya know how this side of city gets Narah."

"I hear ya," the fox woman agreed then turned the page. "Did you see the fire too? I heard it broke out in the morning."

"..." the female stoat answered with a slight pause. "Nuh-uh. Slept through it. What happen' out there?"

"Not positive, but you were smart staying here," she said then cringed while reading. "Smells like death out there still."

"...!?" Chiara reacted to look surprise. The thought of the dungeon being set on fire occurred to her.

"Did people get set on fire?"

"That's what it smells like. The local news has been non-stop talkin' about it on the wire," she stated. Being close to the old radio in the room, she flicked it on. Hearing static, she started adjusting the frequency. Getting human stations at first, the specific number was reached for the island's broadcast.

[...updates from the fire disaster that happened at Oatisal Harbor. There have been no known casualties from where the fire started. Recovery crews have explored the remains of the notorious pub and found no bodies at this time. However as to many of the local residents know, the aroma from the fire is enough to make a skunk cringe and plug its nose]

[Being nicknamed "Death Fire", the smell of burned corpses lingers in the air. The local flea market, which opens everyday at the harbor's central street, has been closed due to the rancid aroma. Anyone that was near the vicinity of the bar had gagged and hurl from the stench. The habitants inside as well as the employees have all been sent to the local hospital due from inhaling the toxic air while they were escaping. All of them are in relatively stable conditions]

[As to what caused the fire is still under investigation. From what some of the fire fighters have stated, the chief indicated that the fire occurred underneath the building. Asking if he believes there is underground tunnels that could possibly lead to a criminal ring, the chief only stated it was a possibility. So far, they have yet to uncover a door or passageway that leads to underground] the announcer stated then clicked off.

"They been going on about it for an hour or so," Narah stated. Turning off the radio, she looked at her co-worker. Staring and blinking, something was oddly different.

"...what?" Chiara asked staring back.

"You got your eye fixed?" she asked a little surprised.

"Huh?...oh...yeah," the stoat answered trying hard not to slip up. "Had treatment for it...uh...a few days ago. Doc said to let it rest for a few days while tryin' to use it a little here and there."

"Wow. That's great," the fox woman remarked with a small smile. "Did the quack fix it, put in an implant, or a replacement?"

'Shit...how do I explain that without sounding like a psycho?' she thought then tried her best with coming up something believable.

"Implant and replacement...that's too rich for my blood. Don't have the dough for that kind of surgery. Doc had some experimental medicine to offer. Took that in the hope it just numb the pain. But I guess it did some magic instead."

"That's a steal," Narah said then gave a small worried expression. "This means you'll have tentacles growing out of eyeball? For medicine to be dirt cheap and for you to need it, sounds like an omen."

"S-Shut up," the other woman stated with a frown.

'I'll freakin' ring his neck and kill him if somethin' weird happens to me,' Chiara thought then looked at the time. Seeing that it was the early afternoon, it was still hard to believe that she passed out for that long. Looking back in the corner to see if the ghost was still there, it wasn't. Releasing an internal sigh of relief, she shifted her eyes back to her peer.

"I'm on nightshift duty again?"

"..." Narah reacted with just staring at her. "Look at the schedule for us. It's posted on the wall."

"Oh...right right," the other woman said. Giving a nervous smile and scratching the back of her head, she turned around and headed to calendar on the wall. Giving the listing of names and their shifts, she was on next day's nightshift.

'Since I got time now...I need to know more about what the hell is happenin' out there,' Chiara pondered. Turning around, she walked back to be near the other employee.

"I'm headin' out. You need anything from me?"

"Nah. Enjoy your day off. Just make sure to plug your nose on the first floor," the Reynard mentioned. "Got some fans going down there...but it still smells like murder."

"Thanks for the heads up," she mentioned with a small nod. Exiting out of the staff room, she headed for the elevators. Walking down the hallway with her eyes staring at the ground, she tried to plan out what she was going to do.

'Alright...first...got to know more about what happened down there,' Chiara pondered. Passing by what seemed like shadows on the wall, she ignored them from focusing on the ground too much and speaking in her mind.

'That police chief lady would know more about the situation than most. I'll visit her and then after that, find out where that amputee psycho went to.'

Reaching the elevators and hitting the call button, one of the two doors opened. Stepping inside and turning around, she hit the ground floor on the panel. Looking back down the hallway, the fur on her tail stood on end. As the doors were closing, there were three dark silhouettes down the hallway. Figuring she passed them while walking by, she didn't notice all of them were lynched. When the elevator doors closed and began to go down, the woman could only swallow the lump in her throat.