Chapter 5: Lime Green Eyes

Letter from Professor Gerald Robotnik to Ansem the Wise

Dear Ansem the Wise,

I am delighted to receive your affirmative response and am greatly looking forward to your visit to the Space Colony ARK. Your esteemed reputation and groundbreaking research into the nature of the heart have always been a source of inspiration to me, and I am confident that our collaboration will lead to significant advancements in our respective fields.

The notion of creating the ultimate lifeform has been a guiding principle in my work, and your interest and insights will undoubtedly enhance the progress of this ambitious project. The potential to blend our unique approaches to understanding the heart and life itself is an exciting prospect, and I eagerly anticipate our discussions.

In addition to your visit to the ARK, you might find it worthwhile to explore some of the remarkable places on Mobius. The planet offers a wealth of diverse environments and intriguing locations that could provide further inspiration for our work. Here are a few places you might consider:

The South Islands: Known for their lush landscapes and vibrant ecosystems, these islands offer a serene retreat and a chance to study various forms of life in their natural habitats.

West Side Island: Rich in history and culture, this island is home to ancient ruins and fascinating geological formations that might pique your interest.

Station Square: A bustling metropolis that showcases the technological advancements and cultural diversity of Mobius. It is an excellent place to observe the interactions between different species and civilizations.

The Kingdom of Soleanna: Renowned for its architectural beauty and rich heritage, Soleanna offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Its peaceful landscapes and ancient relics might provide valuable insights into your theories.

Spagonia: Home to Spagonia University, this city is a hub of academic excellence and intellectual exchange. I highly recommend visiting my friend, Professor Dillon Pickle, a young and upcoming expert in ancient literature at the university. His knowledge and passion for uncovering the mysteries of the past could complement your research on the heart. Discussing your theories with him might open up new avenues of exploration.

Please let me know if you require any assistance with travel arrangements or if there are specific sites you wish to explore during your visit. I am more than happy to facilitate your journey and ensure that your time on Mobius is both enriching and enjoyable.

Once again, I am thrilled at the prospect of our collaboration and eagerly await your arrival at the ARK. Together, I am confident that we will make groundbreaking discoveries that will push the boundaries of scientific understanding and contribute significantly to the future of our fields.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Gerald Robotnik

Space Colony ARK

End of Sea

The darkened and eerie shores of the End of Sea were enveloped in an unnatural silence, disturbed only by the rhythmic crashing of waves against the jet black cliffs. A swirling dark portal manifested on the desolate landscape, spewing forth Oscura, her form battered and weary from the recent conflict with Shadow and Aqua.

Seated on a prominent rock overlooking the dark sea, Doctor Ivo Robotnik, his eyes fixated on the distant horizon, awaited the return of his accomplice. As Oscura emerged from the portal, a sneer played on Robotnik's lips, revealing a mix of frustration and disappointment.

"You've returned," Robotnik remarked, not bothering to turn his gaze towards Oscura. "I'm taking you failed miserably, correct?"

Oscura's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching at his condescending tone.

"I underestimated them," she admitted, her voice laced with both defiance and exhaustion. "Aqua and that hedgehog, Shadow... they're stronger together than I anticipated."

Robotnik finally turned his gaze towards her, his eyes cold and calculating.

"Underestimated them? You're supposed to be a part of Aqua's darkness, yet you couldn't even handle your other half and a hedgehog?"

"Don't mock me, Robotnik," Oscura hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "They caught me off guard, but I won't make the same mistake twice."

Robotnik stood up, his tall, imposing figure casting a long shadow over Oscura.

"You'd better not. Our plans depend on your ability to keep them at bay."

Before Oscura could retort, an eerie voice echoed from the depths of darkness, sending a chill through the tense and heavy air. The voice was smooth and cold, dripping with malice.

"Trouble in paradise?" the voice taunted, its origin obscured by the surrounding darkness. "It seems the great Doctor Robotnik and the wandering Heartless are struggling more than anticipated."

"That voice..." Oscura mumbled, recognizing its coldness.

Robotnik's eyes darted around, searching for the source of the voice. "Who dares to intrude on our conversation?" he demanded, his voice tinged with both anger and apprehension.

A cloud of dark purple mist materialized before them, swirling ominously. From within the mist emerged a being of crystallized form, his body glistening with an eerie light. His eyes, a chilling lime green with red irises, pierced through the darkness. His clawed hands flexed menacingly as he stepped forward.

"Long time no see, Doctor," the figure said, his voice a haunting echo of malice. He then turned his gaze to Oscura, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "And you too, Heartless."

Robotnik's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his tone a mix of frustration and wariness. "I don't know you and why do you look like a crystallized version of Shadow?"

Oscura, however, took a step back, her eyes widening with recognition and dread.

"Those lime green eyes... It's you!" she muttered, summoning her darkened Keyblade, which oozed with darkness in the dim light of the realm. "You're the being that ambushed Aqua, separating us both."

The figure chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating through the cold air.

"Yes, I remember that moment well. Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Mephiles the Dark. In a timeline erased, Doctor, you were quite familiar with me, but now, it seems I must make myself known to you anew."

Robotnik's expression shifted from confusion to intrigue.

"A timeline erased? Interesting," Robotnik mused, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Mephiles. "Explain yourself. What timeline are you from?"

Mephiles's eyes glinted with dark amusement.

"In a timeline now eradicated, I was born from the darkness, taking form from Shadow the Hedgehog's shadow. I was created when I was released from the Scepter of Darkness, a relic that you, Doctor," he glanced pointedly at Robotnik with his chilling lime green eyes, "sought for your own gains. In that timeline, I sought to plunge the world into eternal darkness by manipulating time and space. My existence was intertwined with Solaris, a god-like entity that controlled time."

Robotnik's eyebrows furrowed as he absorbed the information.

"Solaris... the sun god? I've read about such myths but never considered their reality."

Mephiles continued, his voice dripping with malice.

"Yes, Solaris. I represented the darkness, and my other half, Iblis, represented the flames. Together, we formed Solaris, but I needed the Chaos Emeralds to unite with Iblis and achieve our ultimate form. I took on Shadow's form to exploit his power and connection to the Chaos Emeralds."

"Interesting," Eggman remarked, continuing to listen to Mephiles with intrigue. "Please continue."

"But that timeline was wiped out, erased from existence," Mephiles said, his voice filled with lingering bitterness. "Sonic and his allies thwarted my plans. They extinguished the flames of Solaris, unraveling the fabric of our existence. Yet, I survived, carrying the memories and desires of that lost reality into this one."

Robotnik's fascination grew, his mind racing with the implications.

"A timeline eradicated, yet you survived and persisted into a new one. The concept is fascinating. To exist in a reality where your past no longer holds true, yet your purpose remains... Truly intriguing."

Mephiles nodded, "Indeed. My purpose now is revenge and the spread of darkness. The erasure of my timeline did not quell my ambitions. If anything, it has only intensified them."

Oscura stepped forward, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"But, why did you target Aqua? What is your interest in her?"

Mephiles turned his chilling gaze to Oscura, his expression one of calculated curiosity.

"This new timeline has certain individuals that intrigue me. Aqua is one of them. She is a Keyblade Master, a guardian of the light, yet she is trapped in this dark realm. I sought her out because of a theory I had heard—a theory that when a heart is removed, it creates two entities: a Heartless and a Nobody. It fascinated me."

"So, I was being used?" Oscura spat, her voice filled with anger and betrayal.

Mephiles shook his head slowly.

"Not used. Tested. Aqua, as a Keyblade Master, embodies the light, yet she is a guardian lost in the darkness. I needed to understand the dynamics of such a paradox. By separating you, her Heartless, from her, I could study the effects more closely. It was not merely a test of Aqua, but a test of the very nature of light and darkness within a single being."

Oscura's grip tightened on her Keyblade, but she remained silent, processing his words. Robotnik, intrigued by Mephiles's explanation, interjected.

"And this leads to your interest in the Seeker of Darkness, doesn't it?"

Mephiles's eyes gleamed with malevolent delight.

"Ah, you know of this seeker?"

Robotnik smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of knowledge and cunning.

"Yes, Ansem. He was the one who showed me the true power of darkness. I was trying to be enlisted by a witch and her rather uninspiring lackeys, but Ansem showed me the full extent of the dark."

"Witch? Maleficent?" Oscura replied, lowering her Keyblade and fixing her gaze on Robotnik.

"Ah, the evil fairy," Mephiles interjected. "She has played her part in the grand scheme of things, or more like played the puppet by the shadows."

"Meaning?" Oscura asked, still looking at Mephiles with a stern look.

Mephiles's stare grew darker, his eyes reflecting the depth of his scheming.

"Maleficent believes she controls the darkness, but she is merely a pawn. The true players of darkness have always been those who understand its nature and wield it with purpose. Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness, is one such individual. He transcended the petty ambitions of Maleficent and her kind, aiming for something far greater."

Robotnik nodded in agreement, his mind racing with the possibilities.

"Ansem's insights into the heart and darkness are unparalleled. His transformation into a Heartless and his continued existence in the twilight between realms make him a unique being. His knowledge could be the key to unlocking even greater power."

Oscura's eyes narrowed as she absorbed their words.

"So, Ansem is the true master of darkness, the one edging closer to a state of darkness"

Mephiles nodded, his expression one of calculated interest.

"Precisely. Ansem's existence fascinates me. In this timeline, he seeks a higher understanding, a balance that eludes most beings. His knowledge and experience could prove invaluable in our quest."

"Are you working with him?" Oscura pondered aloud, looking at the crystallized being.

"You are half correct," Mephiles replied coldly. "Even though I have not sought his council, I seek what he wants—the door to open, extinguishing the light, and bringing forth a new dawn of darkness."

"Intriguing," Robotnik retorted. "But, where does this leave Oscura and myself in your grand designs?"

Mephiles's dead and unemotional green eyes looked towards the darkness-infused doctor and the Heartless in front of him, the sound of the waves of the sea crashing behind them.

"I see two beings wishing for new starts, being free from the light and wanting the allure of darkness to thrive. Am I correct?"

Robotnik's eyes glinted with ambition, "Yes, I seek to harness the power of darkness, to control it and use it to reshape the world to my vision. The potential it holds is limitless."

Oscura's grip on her Keyblade tightened, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and lingering suspicion.

"I want to understand my existence, to grasp the power of darkness fully and not be shackled by the light or its expectations."

Mephiles nodded, his crystalline form shimmering ominously.

"Then our goals align. Together, we will usher in a new era, one where darkness reigns supreme, and the light is but a distant memory. Your roles in this grand design are crucial. Oscura, you embody the heart's darkness, a being split from a Keyblade Master, an anomaly that fascinates me. Robotnik, your intellect and ambition make you a valuable ally in this endeavor."

Oscura's eyes flickered with a newfound resolve.

"And what is our next move?"

Mephiles's eyes gleamed with malevolent intent.

"We need to destroy Aqua and Shadow, and aid Ansem in opening the Door to Darkness. Only then can we achieve our dreams and freedom."

The word "freedom" struck a chord deep within Oscura. It resonated with her deepest desire—to be her own being, unshackled from the ties to Aqua, unbound by the constraints of her origins. For so long, she had existed as a fragment, a shadow of someone else. Now, the promise of true independence lay tantalizingly within reach.

"Freedom," Oscura repeated softly, the weight of the word sinking into her soul. "That's all I've ever wanted. To be free from Aqua, to be my own being."

Robotnik, sensing the shift in Oscura's demeanor, seized the moment to solidify their alliance.

"Together, we can achieve this, Oscura. We can break the chains that bind you to Aqua and create a new reality where darkness reigns and our ambitions are fulfilled."

Oscura's eyes burned with determination, the darkness within her swirling with newfound purpose.

"Very well, Mephiles. I will stand with you. We will destroy Aqua and Shadow, and with Ansem's guidance, we will open the Door to Darkness."

Mephiles nodded, his crystalline form shimmering with dark energy.

"Then it is decided. Our path is clear. We will seek out Ansem, eliminate those who stand in our way, and reshape the realms in the image of our darkest desires."

"We will prevail," Oscura declared, her voice filled with conviction. "And I will finally be free."

Report by Ansem the Wise: Upcoming Trip to Mobius

As I prepare for my upcoming trip to Mobius, I find myself particularly fascinated by the Kingdom of Soleanna. This region is steeped in rich history and intriguing lore, most notably the tale of the flame of Solaris being snuffed out many years ago. The eradication of Solaris, a being of supposed immense power, by an unknown entity, represents a risky move but one that could carry profound meaning and consequences for the realm.

The lore surrounding Solaris speaks of a being that governed time and reality, a force that, when combined, represented the dualities of flame and shadow. The flame of Solaris was a symbol of immense power and control over time itself. The act of extinguishing this flame has left a significant mark on the history and culture of Soleanna, creating ripples that continue to influence the present day.

My upcoming visit to Mobius presents a unique opportunity to delve deeper into these mysteries. I am particularly eager to engage with the royal family of Soleanna, who have extended an invitation for an audience. The young Duke of Soleanna, having heard of my arrival from Radiant Garden, seeks to discuss matters of mutual interest. This meeting could potentially pave the way for an alliance between our worlds.

An alliance with Soleanna would be a momentous occasion, fostering collaboration and shared knowledge between Radiant Garden and Soleanna. The exchange of ideas and resources could lead to significant advancements in our understanding of both light and darkness, as well as the historical events that have shaped our respective realms.

The royal family of Soleanna holds a respected position within their kingdom, and their willingness to engage in dialogue with an outsider speaks volumes about their openness to new ideas and perspectives. The young Duke, in particular, has shown a keen interest in the intersection of lore and science, an area where our respective fields of study could greatly benefit from collaboration.

During my visit, I plan to explore the ancient texts and artifacts related to the legend of Solaris. Understanding the context and motivations behind the decision to extinguish the flame of Solaris could provide invaluable insights into the broader struggle between light and darkness that defines our worlds.

Moreover, the cultural and historical significance of Soleanna offers a unique perspective on the ways in which societies respond to the presence of immense power and the consequences of its removal. The kingdom's resilience and ability to adapt in the face of such a profound change serve as a testament to the strength and ingenuity of its people.

In conclusion, my upcoming trip to Mobius represents an exciting opportunity to uncover new knowledge and forge meaningful connections. The Kingdom of Soleanna, with its rich history and intriguing lore, holds the promise of unlocking secrets that could deepen our understanding of the delicate balance between light and darkness. The potential for an alliance between Radiant Garden and Soleanna further adds to the significance of this journey, opening the door to a future of shared discovery and cooperation.

I look forward to embarking on this journey and to the discoveries and alliances that await.

Ansem the Wise

Radiant Garden

TO BE CONTINUED!