Unraveling
Note: In my version, Naugus used a secret passageway to get to the Ritual Chamber under the castle.
(Theme song - Pokemon Journeys: The Series (Season 23) - English Dub Opening)
(Abigail's POV)
*It's been a week since we left Feral Forest, now we were flying eastbound towards the Mercian Coast. Right behind the Death Egg*
Sonic: That tracker you planted on the Death Egg is working like a charm! We've got Eggman running scared now!
Tails: Thanks Sonic! But following it is one thing. Taking it down will be another!
*Suddenly, the Death Egg dropped Egg Swats, flying ones this time. Amy got out her hammer & I got my hook swords*
Amy: Egg Swats at twelve o'clock!
Sonic: Ooh! They've got jetpacks! I haven't smashed any of those!
Tails: Let's make this quick! The sooner we rescue Sally, the sooner we get home. I don't like leaving everyone behind with Naugus as the Royal Wizard.
Abigail: You and me both, Tails.
Huckleberry: Chao-Chao.
(Third-Person POV)
*Back in New Mobotropolis, Naugus was writhing in his sleep, with three different voices echoing in his head (a red male spirit rhino, a purple male spirit lobster, & a yellow male spirit bat)*
Agunus:*in Naugus's dream* There is no escape from ua. Not even in your dreams.
Suguna:*in Naugus's dream* You fail as an Ixis. You can't handle one hedgehog. You can't steal one magic necklace from a weak little girl.
Nusgau:*in Naugus's dream* You bear a noble title, but you have no control! Not over the Kingdom! Not over us! Not even your own body!
*Naugus jolted awake, with a lobster claw growing out of his metal claw, little claws growing out of his sides, & his tail turning red*
Ixis Naugus: SILENCE! Leave me be!
*He then saw Naugus standing next to his bed, holding his staff*
Geoffrey St. John: Afraid I can't do that, sir. Like I said, it's time to get up. *he handed Naugus his staff & they left Naugus's bedroom* You've got a full day ahead. Make yourself presentable.
Ixis Naugus: HRRGH . . . Watch your tone with me apprentice! *he used his magic to make his mutations disappear**in his mind* He's been surly ever since the debacle under the city. I'll have to keep an eye on him too.
Geoffrey St. John: First off, you to attend a meeting with the King and the Council of Acorn.
*When they made it to the Council room, the meeting had already begun*
King Nigel Acorn: Now then, what is our first order of businesses?
*Isabella raised her hand*
Isabella: If I may, Your Majesty, I have a proposal to make to the Council.
King Nigel Acorn: Then let's hear it.
Isabella: Thank you. I motion that it's time to end Nicole's suspension.
*Naugus slammed his fist on the table*
Ixis Naugus: NO! *the King & Geoffrey glared at him & he composed himself* Ahem! N-No, I . . . The Council already voted on this. I protect this city.
Isabella: With all due respect, Naugus, the recent attack proved you can't. Team Freedom saved you, and they drove back Doctor Eggman. Nicole could've given us advenced warning!
Hamlin: Public concern is why we voted for the suspension, but with the recent attack in mind . . .
Rosemary: Perhaps if we applied the monitoring system we have now . . .
Isabella: We would be prepared for the next attack . . .
Ixis Naugus: You . . .
*Suddenly, Naugus's mutations started to appear again*
Penelope: But will she accept? We did suspend her!
Uncle Chuck: She's a Freedom Fighter! Of course she'll . . .
*The King noticed Naugus's pain*
King Nigel Acorn: Naugus? Are you alright?
Ixis Naugus: I feel ill! Excuse me!
*He limped out of the room, with Geoffrey right behind him*
(Abigail's POV)
*We destroyed any Egg Swat that came close to the Tornado*
Amy: Last one!
Sonic: C'mon, Doc! We're Team Fighters! Give us something to fight! *suddenly, something red dropped from the Death Egg* Um?
*It then grew into Titan Metal Sonic, except it was covered in green vines*
Krudzu Hybrid Hydra: I LIVE AGAIN! SONIC! THIS TIME YOU'RE MINE!
Sonic: Oh. That's really not good.
Abigail: Sonic! What is that!?
Sonic: A Krudzu thing - I'll explain later! We need to take it down before it gets any stronger!
(Laura's POV)
*Today, me & my family were visiting the Hedgehog Family. We were all sitting in the living room, having tea & talking (Jules & Bernadette were on the couch, me, Toby, & Robert were in the loveseat, & my Father was in the armchair), when Naugus, the "Royal Wizard", came in & began talking to Jules & Bernadette. Toby whimpered in my arms as I held him close. My husband, Robert, kept us behind him, while my Father sipped his tea & glared at Naugus. Jules held Bernie by the arm so she wouldn't charge at him. Their pet robotic Chao looked at him suspiciously*
Ixis Naugus: . . . And thus, with my magic, I can turn you back to normal. All you need to do is out your faith in your Royal Wizard. What do you say?
*We were all quite for a few minutes, then Jules spoke*
Jules: AND I NEED TO ENTER A "MAGICAL CONTRACT" WITH YOU BECAUSE . . .
Ixis Naugus: It's the nature of the spell.
Bernadette: Okay. Allow me to explain a few things. Jules remains a Robian due to the wounds he received during the coup d'etat twelve years ago. You expect my husband to risk that to a process you can't explain aside from "it's magic"? You expect us to believe you have no other motive? Of all the nerve to . . . Your turn, Hon.
Jules: FURTHERMORE, YOU ARE THE MAN WHO NEARLY DROVE MOBIANS AND ROBIANS INTO CIVIL WAR, ENEMY OF MY MENTOR, AND - MOST IMPORTANTLY - TRIED TO KILL MY SON. *he pointed towards the door* NO, SIR. I WILL NOT BE TAKING YOU UP ON YOUR OFFER. THERE'S THE DOOR. PLEASE CONJURE YOUR WAY THROUGH IT.
Ixis Naugus: You . . . You ingrates . . .
*Naugus then staggered out of the house. As soon as he was gone, Toby burts out crying. I rocked him gently & shushed him*
Laura: Shh. Shh. It's okay sweetie. The big bag Wizard is gone now.
(Third-Person POV)
Ixis Naugus: No wonder the Quickster is so intolerable . . . It's genetic. Cursed mutations. I'm running out of time . . .
(Abigail's POV)
*We flew around the plant infused Titan Metal Sonic*
Krudzu Hybrid Hydra: FALL BEFORE ME, INSECTS!
Sonic: We've got to take him down before he gets to full strength.
Tails: T-Pup pulled up the file on Krudzu. It's weak water, remember? We're on the coast.
Sonic: Bingo!
Amy: Then we put everything into one hit and knock it into the surf!
Sonic: Amy, you serve up a wallop combo! Tails, lock the missiles onto me when I launch! It's now or never - literally.
*Sonic got his ball form & then Amy hit him with her hammer, sending him flying into the giant robot chest. Along with missiles from the Tornado. He then destroyed it from the inside*
Krudzu Hybrid Hydra: AUGH! NO! WHAT DID YOU DO!? AHHHHH! I'LL BE BACK! I'VE COME BACK FROM WORSE! I'LL BE BAAACK!
*It then fell into the water & didn't come back up. Sonic landed back on the Tornado*
Abigail: Cut it a little close there, huh?
Huckleberry: Chao-Chao.
Sonic: Only a little. Big guy made me think of Naugus. All that power on the outside, no substance on the inside!
(Third-Person POV)
*Back in New Mobotropolis, the entire city & Knotehole had gathered in the Coliseum for another concert by the Forget-Me-Knots. Naugus & Geoffrey stood behind King Nigel & Queen Alicia as they sat on their thrones*
Ixis Naugus:*whispering* This better be the last thing for today, apprentice.
Geoffrey St. John:*whispering* Just this public appearance at Mina's concert, sir.
Ixis Naugus:*whispering* Good. Today has been . . . Trying.
Agunus:*in Naugus's head* You seem . . . Relaxed.
*in his mind* I used this band to spread fear among the city. Some hate-mongering music will quell any talk of reversing the suspension.
*Soon, the Forget-Me-Knots were on the stage*
Mina: Good evening, everyone, and thanks for coming out! The last concert was about empowerment, but the message got lost in a cloud of fear. I want to start by saying tonight's concert it about love, understanding, and forgiveness. Tonight is dedicated to someone very special who's given everything for us to give in return. This first song, this whole concert, it dedicated to you Nicole.
Ixis Naugus:*whispering* I'm going to vomit.
Geoffrey St. John:*whispering* Public image. Stay put.
*In his mind, Naugus could hear Nusgau laughing*
Ixis Naugus:*in his mind* Shut up! I'm sick of keeping up these pretenses. I'm sick of the fickle citizens mood. I'm sick of the mutations and your voices, and -
(Lacey's POV)
*Me & Team Freedom were in the audience, along with Cream's Mom & my family*
Cream: Mother, I think I lost that Tails looking doll.
Vanilla: You've taken such good care of it. I'm sure you just left it at home.
Cream: No, I'm sure I brought it along . . .
*To be honest, I hope she never finds that doll. That ugly thing gives me the creeps*
Mina: A one! A two! A one - two - three - WHOA!
*Suddenly, the stage started to short circuit & fall apart*
Rotor: Team Freedom! Get them off the stage!
*We all rushed towards the stage. Rotor grabbed Mina, Bunnie grabbed Max, Big grabbed Mach, & Heavy grabbed Sharps. The rest of us got the band's instruments. We got them off the stage before it exploded*
(Third-Person POV)
*Geoffrey turned to Naugus, furious*
Geoffrey St. John:*whispering* You just had to do something, didn't you? Don't you dare tell me it was "just a tremor," or . . . *he then noticed Naugus was in pain & mutating* Crikey. It wasn't you?
(Lacey's POV)
*Rotor put Mina on the ground once the smoke cleared up*
Rotor: You okay?
*Ash ran up to them*
Ash: Mina! Mina! Are you hurt!?
*Mina then turned to the crowd*
Mina: Let's hear it for Team Freedom, saving the day again! *the crowd cheered* This is one more reason we need Nicole back! The stage would've been fine if she'd been here! She needs your support! Team Freedom and Team Fighters need our support! They're there for us - We need to be there for our heroes!
*The crowd started chanting "We want Nicole! Heroes! Heroes! Heroes!"*
Lacey:*in her mind* Oh, Abby's going to be so happy when she gets home.
(Third-Person POV)
*Geoffrey helped Naugus out of the Coliseum & into a secluded room in the castle*
Geoffrey St. John: There you go. You gonna make it?
Ixis Naugus: Yesss, apprentice . . . You ssssaved me . . . You are loyal . . .
*He sat on a chair as his mutations got worse. Geoffrey face-palmed*
Geoffrey St. John: I shouldn't be. I believed you could do good for this city. Quirks aside. You taught me to be strong and self-reliant. I thought you could bring those ideals to Mobotropolis.
Ixis Naugus: Watch your words . . .
Geoffrey St. John: No! You listen to mine! You betrayed my city with that stupid stunt you pulled underground! It's a miracle you were stopped! You're sick, twisted, and you're . . . Wrong! And I'm no better. Makes me a lousy person to judge. Look, I don't know what it was like in the order of Ixis. All the lies and backstabbin' might've needed back then. And it served me as a spy, but those days are behind us. The city is full of charitable, forgiving folks. It's the one place in the world blokes like us can let our guards down and truly do good.
Ixis Naugus: Are you so naive as to think they would offer us their trust? To offer redemption?
Geoffrey St. John: You heard the crowd! They're ready to bring Nicole back already. I arrested Sonic once, and he out it behind him for pity's sake! My point is: I know you're sick. Have been since Eggman did his "white out" attack. Instead of trying to trick your way out of it, how about asking for help? Just this once?
*The voices started swirling in Naugus's head again*
Agunus: Don't even pretend to consider. It you're to prideful.
Suguna: He should not because it's stupid! You don't expose your weakness to the enemy!
Nusgau: If you give in to your apprentice, you'll just prove you're as gullible as the rest of this city of morons.
*Naugus looked up with with a sickly grin & nodded*
Agunus: Oh . . . Oh, yes.
Suguna: It appears we've reached a consensus for once.
*Naugus put a hand on Geoffrey's shoulder*
Ixis Naugus: My dear Geoffrey. You've reminded me of what I forgot.
Geoffrey St. John: Sir?
Ixis Naugus:*eyes glowing red* You swore your allegiance years ago! You entered into contract at the beginning! YOU WILL BE MY VESSEL!
Geoffrey St. John: No! Let go of - !
*Geoffrey screamed. When he stopped, he was on his hands & knees, his whole body smoking. He then looked up with a crazy look in his eyes*
*Later, down in the Royal Council Room,
King Nigel Acorn: . . . And with a unanimous vote - and our sincere apologies - we welcome you back into the city under "monitored conditions."
Nicole: I am happy accept, Your Majesty. I know with you and Sir Charles I will be in good hands. But was it really unanimous?
Uncle Chuck: Well . . .
Geoffrey St. John (Ixis Naugus):*off-screen* It is now! *they all turned & saw Geoffrey entering the room, without Naugus. he took Nicole's hand & kneeled in front of her **on-screen* My Master is too ill to attend today, but he sends his full support of your return.
King Nigel Acorn, Nicole, & Uncle Chuck: He does?
*He turned to the rest of the Council*
Geoffrey St. John (Ixis Naugus): He has also sent to confess a terrible secret he has kept from all of you. He is dying. And in despair, he tried to take on all he could - to serve the city to his fullest in his last hours *he looked back at Nicole* It's taken me quite a while, but I got him to see his old ways were flawed, and how together we may save his life. So that he may serve you better. Will you help me to help him?
(Abigail's POV)
*We were currently heading towards where the Death Egg was*
Sonic: Dude, how long until we catch up with the Egg?
Amy: G - Guys . . . You . . . You need to see this . . .
*Sonic, Huck, & I looked down where she was pointing & our eyes went wide*
Sonic: We're too late . . . He already hit Albion.
Abigail: Oh dear god . . .
Huckleberry: Chao-Chao . . .