not everyone is fond of extreme property damage
The setting sun shone through the trees, casting long shadows onto the orange world. Eyes sparkling, the ivory child watched the new birds and new trees. New things were always interesting - especially when they were unlike anything he had ever seen. The trees, for one, kept pulling his attention. Those growths were not the needles or jagged shapes he was used to. Round edges and bright colors met his eyes as the individual leaves swayed on their individual branches. What a remarkable plant. Lengthy arms, large greens, it did not take Silver long to decide he liked this place.
As much as he enjoyed the beautifully red and orange colors the sunset had presented, it did not last for more than five minutes. For the second the sun had disappeared below the horizon, the world was cast into an indescribably dull gray. It was awful to look at. The trees looked limper, the ground looked drier, and the air itself felt…sick. Silver couldn't help but let out a slight cough. Ugh the very atmosphere was thick with illness and despair. Not unlike the fog demon, Mephin's aura.
Even Shadow was not immune to the change in quality. As the young hedgehog coughed from the sudden onset of gloom, the ranger also let loose a strained exhale - stumbling slightly in his path. Silver gripped tighter onto the strong fingers. If the air was heavy with such a dense ick, it might not take much for him to grow weak and fall.
"Ugh ff-" Shadow hissed, stopping himself short. Ruby eyes fell to the ivory child with a slight look of apology. Silver could only stare back up at the bothered ranger. It was so hard to feel….healthy here.
"Get on my back." Shadow commanded, stooping down to a crouch. "I don't want you falling behind."
Miserably, Silver obliged. Closing his eyes, he clamped onto the adult's shoulder guards - praying that they would make it to the village soon. Man, he wanted to take a nap.
Just as he imagined the soft feeling of his mattress back home, a light in the distance caught his gold eye. It looked like a dot, shining just a ways down the road. Shadow seemed to notice it too, for the second Silver had spotted the glowing object, the ebony hedgehog straightened his back and picked up his pace. Fascinated, Silver watched the dot grow closer and closer. Whatever could it be?
It happened to be a lantern. As it came into full view, Silver could see it hung on the top of a wooden gate, attached to the hand of a lone guard who stood half asleep on a platform above. It was definitely a well crafted gate. The wooden logs were thick and sturdy - banded together by iron and steel. Silver couldn't help but feel wowed by the safety and fortitude they provided. The villagers inside must be very fortunate.
What was unfortunate, for Shadow and Silver at least, was the fact the gate was shut tight. As the ranger approached the walled village, the guard on the gate stood from his slumped over stance and held the lantern up. Light cast upon the duo as the tired raccoon opened his mouth to speak.
"Huh? Who goes there?" He yawned, light swaying from the movement.
"I need to speak to your elder." Shadow demanded, voice sharp and clear as to be heard from a distance.
"Sorry, no one enters the village." The guard frowned. "An illness has taken our people and our river is dried."
"I need to speak to your elder." Shadow repeated, this time more firm.
"...no." The raccoon asserted. "Go around the wall and continue to Central City- its forty days west."
"I need to speak to your elder." Shadow growled, eyes glowing bright.
"Absolutely not." The guard affirmed.
"I can help your village." Shadow spoke. "I can rid this disease and drought."
"I don't-"
"Now let me say this again." The ranger continued, interrupting the sentry. "I need. To speak. To your elder.
Leather hands raised slightly, body charging with energy in preparation for…something. Silver, who had stayed silent and out of sight, braced for some sort of action. Shadow was getting frustrated - and that rarely ended well.
"No can do." The raccoon spat back, also visibly frustrated. "I don't care who you are or what you can do, no one gets in."
"Let's try this again, shall we?" Shadow spoke, tilting his head slightly.
A loud CRACK sounded through the air, followed by a flash of light that nearly blinded the poor guard. Squeaking, Silver blinked, trying to understand what exactly just happened. A glance forwards revealed the previously impassable gate blown wide open, splinters and sawdust raining down as Shadow stood with his hand outstretched to the wooden doors. Embers and sparks wafted away from the barrier, slowly putting themselves out as both the hoglet and the raccoon stared on with jaws agape.
"MY GATE-"
Shadow ignored the shellshocked sentry and walked onwards, passing through the smoking lumber and into the village itself. Obviously, his presence was not unnoticed, as the mere argument at the entry had woken villagers near the wall. Matches were struck and candles lit as the ranger stalked through the sickly development. Locals appeared in doorways and on the side of the road as Shadow advanced, walking towards the center of the village itself. Whispers filled the air, catching Silver's ears as he overheard nervous statements and fearful questions.
On the other end of the road, a rather upset looking bear approached the duo. Lantern held up as he stopped in the middle of the road, the bear placed his hefty paw on the hilt of his sword - a silent threat not to cause trouble. Shadow approached him, arms crossed and hooded head high as he opened with a question.
"Where is the elder?" He demanded, voice intimidating enough to make Silver shrink down even further than before.
"Elder's dead." The bear bluntly answered. "I'm the elder now."
"What is the origin of this illness?" Shadow interrogated, cutting any formalities and jumping straight to the chase.
"Now hold on a second." The bear growled, clearly upset at the ranger. "You fight my guard, destroy my gate, wake my village, and expect me to be civil with you?"
"There is no time for such frivolous discussions." Shadow hissed, eyes glowing once more. "Your guard refused passage, so I took matters into my own hands."
"You don't get to walk in here like you own the place." The bear rumbled, gripping the sword tighter. "I must ask you to leave."
"Let me ask you this." Shadow hissed. "Do you value the lives of your people?"
"Of cou-"
"Does it pain you to see so many sick and feverish - laying on death's doorstep while the river runs dry?"
"Yes, an-"
"Did you not send a plea to Crescent City - begging for relief from this epidemic?"
"Yes-"
"Then why does your guard withhold help from reaching your village?" Shadow spat.
Blue eyes locked with red.
"Because I ordered him to."
"Queen Ember heard your request." Shadow growled. "Feeling inadequate to provide the relief you begged for, she asked Me."
Silver dared a peek at the glowering bear.
"Don't you find it counterproductive to refuse entry?"
"You don't have to be such a di-"
"There are children present." Shadow growled. "I gather you are new at this leadership role, and it is proper for you to set a good example."
Blue eyes met gold as the bear spotted the young prodigy. The wheels turned in the elder's mind as he assessed the situation. Silver dared a small smile and a wave. Hopefully it would help him feel better…
"The fabled hero." The bear grumbled, locking eyes with the ranger once more. "No one told me he was such a dou-"
"You will find me more agreeable under better circumstances." Shadow interrupted, face contorting to a snarl. "I have been traveling for days on end with a child to care for - only to be denied entry to my objective."
"I understand you are here to help, and I apologize for my lack of understanding." The bear conceded, taking his paw off his sword with a grumble. "However, that still does not excuse my gate."
"My prodigy can assist with that." Shadow spoke, relaxing his shoulders slightly. " All he requires is the materials and the proper direction."
"He better be able to help." The elder snapped, tapping his foot. "Our village is defenseless without that gate."
"Let me handle the defense." Shadow spoke. "My prodigy requires rest and a meal before any more activities."
"I-I can help…" A shy voice peeped up.
Shadow turned towards the voice. Nervously a wiry looking woman stepped forwards, child clamped tight to the hem of her apron. Silver also glanced at the mother, feeling a sense of curiosity.
"My husband is the carpenter…" She spoke, tail swishing slightly under her tan dress. "He is ill right now, but I understand you can assist with the gate?"
"My prodigy has the ability to manipulate objects with his mind." Shadow answered. "However I feel he may be a little too tired to do anything at the current time."
Brown eyes fell upon the young hoglet. With a soft smile, the gold furred dog slowly reached out her hands - offering to take Silver into her arms. Feeling quite tired, and wanting anything to do with food and a nap, Silver reached back.
"He does look tired." She commented, hoisting the young hedgehog onto her chest. "Why don't I take him back to my place for a rest….the poor thing…"
"While he gets his rest, I will watch the gate." Shadow spoke, turning back to the elder. "I will patrol the immediate area for signs of tampering."
"You better live up to your legend, Hero." The bear growled, baring his teeth at the adult hedgehog. " 'Cause you're on thin ice."