-Chapter 214-
Sky Pirates
The magic carpet sailed away from the shores of the land, making its way out over the ocean. Sonic was understandably nervous, holding onto Sally while occasionally glancing down at the waters before. Sensing his uneasiness, Sally attempted to distract him.
"So, who do you think Sinbad is going to be?" she asked.
Sonic shrugged. "Search me."
"Come on, you have to have some idea. Maybe it's Antoine."
"No way. Antoine is the furthest thing from a pirate."
"Alright then. Rotor maybe?"
"Nah, I don't think so."
The two continued to trade guesses, Sonic slowly relaxing the longer it went on. Soon, they were both laughing about ridiculous suggestions until the last of their nerves were gone.
"Alright, alright," Sally said at last. "You have to have some sort of guess now."
"Well... maybe it's-" Sonic was cut off when a sound almost akin to a whale call filled the air. "Uh... what was that?"
"It's the Rukh!" Shahra exclaimed.
Massive shadows began to overtake them, drawing their sight upward. There, they could see numerous flying creatures resembling manta rays slowly making their way across the skies. Each of them was the size of an island, and all of them had ruins on their backs.
"Look at the size of those things!" Sonic exclaimed. "They're almost as big as Angel Island!"
"Those are the things that made off with Sinbad?" Sally wondered.
"One of them, anyway," Shahra answered.
"Question is…" Sonic's eyes glanced around, seeing that there was an entire pod of them spread out as far as the eye could see, "which one?"
Suddenly, there was a distant boom, almost like a cannon going off. Shahra was the first to notice it.
"Get down!" she shrieked before waving her hand. The carpet dove down, and a cannonball whizzed over their heads.
"What the flip?!" Sonic sputtered, gripping the carpet tightly.
"We're under attack!" Sally realized.
The three turn to see a massive ship sailing through the air, the sails seemingly made out of fabric identical to the magic carpet.
"It's the Chimera," Shahra declared upon recognizing the flag above the sails. "Sinbad's ship!
They looked to see a girl around their age glaring at them on starboard. Sonic's eyes widened. "Kat?!"
"No, that's Marina," Shahra corrected, "Sinbad's first mate."
"Oh, so Knuckles is Sinbad. I was just about to say that before the Rukh showed up."
Onboard the Chimera, Marina raised a sabre in the air before pointing it right at the trio. "Fire!"
The cannons explode again, sending several more cannonballs whizzing towards them. They immediately took evasive action.
"Uh, why is she attacking us?" Sonic questioned. "Aren't Sinbad's crew supposed to be good guys?"
"They're supposed to be," Sally said. "Something's gotta be wrong here."
Sonic guided the carpet over to the ship, dodging more cannon fire. As they got closer, they saw that the crew seemed to be made mostly of Echidna, including familiar faces like Julie-Su and Lara-Su. The Chaotix were also among the crew, with Vector manning one of the cannons alongside Mighty.
"Hey, hey, time out!" Sonic shouted as they got close. "What's the big idea?!"
"Kale, Jed, keep your cannons trained on him," Marina ordered, Vector and Mighty nodding. Marina then aimed her sabre right at the three. "Identify yourselves."
"I'm Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog," Sonic gestured to the others. "This is Sally and Shahra."
Espio came forward, clearing his throat to get the first mate's attention.
"What is it, Jin?" Marina questioned.
"Perhaps this Sonic is the Blue Hedgehog, the one spoken of in legend," Jin offered.
Marina's eyebrow furrowed at that. "If that were true, then why is he traveling with the Erazor Djinn's concubine?"
Shahra cringed at those words, and Sonic blinked.
"Wait, you mean she was-" he shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Mind explaining why you just tried to blow us out of the sky when we're minding our own business?"
"The Erazor Djinn attacked Syracuse, destroying everything in his path," Marina replied. "Amidst the destruction, several Ma Djinn made off with Sinbad. When I saw the djinn you keep, I believed you to be among his cohorts."
"I have no further association with Erazor," Shahra informed her. "I didn't know what he intended for this world. I don't expect you to believe me, Marina, but I speak the truth."
Marina looked her up and down, her eyes narrowing a bit, but then she sheathed her sabre.
"Stand down, men," she ordered.
They slowly relaxed at that, lowering their weapons.
"So we're just trusting her now?" Kale questioned.
"If Jin is correct about this being the Blue Hedgehog of legend, then there is no need to fight," Marina said matter-of-factly. "Besides, I get the feeling our goals align."
"If you're looking to save Sinbad, then yes, they do," Sally said. "Ali Baba told us he had been captured by the Rukh."
"It is more like the Erazor Djinn handed him over to the Rukh," Marina clarified. "We have searched the ruins across many of these living fossils, but have yet to find our captain."
"We require his worldly wisdom," Shahra explained. "Erazor has unleashed the Ifrit Golem, and we lack the power to stop it."
Many hushed whispers filled the ship.
"Then there is no time to waste." Marina put two fingers to her mouth and let out a shrill whistle. "Spike!"
On cue, Chomps came running out, wagging his tail.
"Whoa," Sonic let out at the sight of the Mobosaur. "He's here too."
Marina rubbed the dino's head, then snapped her fingers. One of the echidna came forward with a white bandana. "Get the scent, boy. We need to find the captain now."
Spike sniffed at the bandana for a few moments. He then made his way over to the bow of the ship, looking out in the distance before letting out a roar-like bark. Immediately, Marina straightened up and started barking orders.
"Hoist the sails! Stow the cannons! And ready the wind bags! We've got a lot of sky to cover!"
The ship becomes a flurry of movement, all the pirates rushing to do as they were told at Marina took the helm. Sonic and Sally were left on the deck, surprised at how quickly that was resolved.
"Huh," Sonic let out after a moment. "I was expecting at least one person to try to punch me in the face."
"The character of Marina was a princess at one point," Sally recalled. "I suppose she's a bit more diplomatic and reasonable then her doppelganger."
Sonic nodded. "Yeah, that's a good point. Well made."
The Chimera sailed through the skies, weaving its way through the Rukh. As they waited, Sonic glanced down at the ring on his finger. Curiosity getting the better of him, he gave it a rub. Shahra emerged after a moment.
"What can I do for you, oh master?" she asked.
"Shahra," Sonic began, "I don't mean to pry into your personal business, but... what did Marina mean by, well... you know."
"When she called me Erazor's concubine?" Shahra sighed. "Before all this, before I knew of his plans, Erazor and I... we were close. Before my contract with Leila, we were friends. Eventually, it became something more."
"You loved him, didn't you?" Sonic realized.
Shahra sniffed, nodding.
"Yes… I did," she sat down beside Sonic. "I'm not sure how it happened. Maybe he became evil over time. Maybe it was his true nature all along. All I know is one day, he became fixated on the World Rings and their legend."
Sonic glanced down at the two rings encircling his wrist.
"He made me promise to help him. But when I learned what he had planned... I just couldn't," she looked down. "The deal was once my contract with Leila was up, I would help him retrieve the World Rings. Instead, we fled to Mobius. Leila took up the guise of a bookseller at the flea market, after we heard you frequented it every year."
"And I already know the rest," Sonic remarked.
"Please do not think ill of me," Shahra pleaded.
"I couldn't," Sonic assured. "I mean, you're risking everything to try and save this world, and it's clear you're against his plans."
Shahra sighed in relief at that. Just then, a voice rang out from the crow's nest.
"Ma Djinn off the port bow!"
They ran over to the side, seeing the Ma Djinn approach, along with a new breed that resembled gargoyles.
"That's new." Sonic mused.
"Whatever you do, do not look a gargoyle Ma Djinn in the eyes when they glow," Shahra cautioned. "They'll turn you to stone."
"Is that so?" Sonic asked. "If that's the case, then I might have an idea. Shahra, I wish for everyone onboard the Chimera to have a handheld mirror."
Shahra looked confused. Sonic smirked. "Just trust me."
"Very well."
She waved a hand, and mirrors appeared before everyone, Sonic included.
"Alright everybody, listen up!" Sonic declared, getting their attention. "The minute you see the glow of their eyes, hold up the mirror!"
"Of course!" Marina exclaimed, realizing his intent. "Make the Ma Djinn petrify themselves! You heard the hedgehog! Do what he said!"
The minute a gargoyle's eyes began to glow, they all held up the mirrors, keeping their eyes tightly shut. A bright flash emitted from them, only to be bounced off the mirrors and back to the source. It shrieked as its skin turned to stone and it plummeted to the ground. The pirates all cheered as the fight continued. Without the gargoyle, the rest of the Ma Djinn were quickly dealt with. The last was sent plummeting into the ocean below, much to the elation of the pirates.
"Now that was an adventure," Sally remarked.
Eventually, they made it to a Rukh in the center of the pod. Jed was looking around in a telescope, before perking at the sight of a familiar figure in a cage atop a tower.
"Marina!" he shouted. "I think I got him!"
Marina rushed over, taking the telescope for herself.
"Sinbad…" she whispered. "Drop anchor! We've found the captain!"
They landed, hurrying up the tower to the cage to see Sinbad sitting casually in the cage. As Sonic predicted, it was a version of Knuckles, dressed in a white pirate-esque outfit with matching hat.
"So, you finally found me, Marina," he greeted. "Took you long enough."
"Oh yeah," Sonic whispered to Sally. "That's Knux, alright."
"Hey, who's the one who was dumb enough to get thrown in a cage?" Marina quipped.
"Only because someone couldn't leave Syracus without the Book of Peace."
"Yeah, you!" Sinbad turned red as Marina crossed her arms in satisfaction. "Luckily for you, I ran into some help."
Sonic gave a two-fingered salute. "Yo. Ali Baba sent me."
"The legendary blue hedgehog…" Sinbad let out as he rose to his feet. "I am Sinbad of the Seven Seas! Adventurer of adventures! Pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure is ours," Sally replied. "We were told you could help us to defeat the Ifrit Golem."
Sinbad blinked. "Let me guess. That psycho Erazor Djinn set him loose?"
Sonic nodded.
"I'll happily help you, but under one condition," Sinbad knocked on the bars of his cage. "Get me out of here."
Shahra examined the bars.
"This is no mere lock," she reported. "I feel a strange magical force here. Erazor's handiwork, no doubt."
"Even I can feel it," said Sally. "Like a buzzing somewhere in the metal."
Sonic approached, feeling the rings on his arms pulsating.
"I think I may know what's keeping it locked."
He followed the pulsing sensation, using it like a metal detector, before finding the source on top of the cage: a dark blue World Ring.
"It's another World Ring," he reported. "Part of the cage."
"Be careful!" Sally cautioned.
Tentatively, he reached out, grasping the ring. It exploded like the other two had, and his mind was filled with ones felt different from before, not memories, but almost dreams. He heard his own voice in the background, different words overlapping until he couldn't make anything out. The only words he could hear clearly were "Aurora" and "Please." The images were strange, showing his Uncle Chuck shedding his Robian skin like it was nothing, of countless men and women in grey jumpsuits waiting for rescue, of his friends all safe and laughing, and of Robotnik's portly form transforming into the kind, comforting smile of Julian. He came out of it, breathing heavily before wiping his forehead.
"Prayers…" he realized. "That's what this ring represents. Hopes and prayers."
He jumped down from the top of the cage, landing a bit shakily. Sinbad was the one to catch him, now free of the cage.
"Easy there," he cautioned.
"Are you alright?" Sally asked in concern.
"Yeah…" Sonic sighed. "Just touching a World Ring makes me feel like I've got a whirlpool of emotions spiraling around inside me. I can't even begin to imagine what having all seven rings would do to someone. They... they might even open the gates of Hell."
"Just rest, Master," Shahra soothed. "You need to regain your strength."
"She's right," Sally agreed. "In the meantime, how do we stop the Ifrit?"
"It's a fire monster, right?" Sinbad asked. "Why not just try splashing some water on him?"
A dead silence followed.
"Now why didn't we think of that?" Sonic said sarcastically. "Wow... The wisdom of Sinbad of the Seven Seas! The adventurer of adventurers!"
"Hey, I don't see you coming up with any better ideas!" Sinbad shot back.
They were about to come to blows when Sally stepped between them.
"Both of you, stop it!" she snapped. "The problem is... how are we going to get enough water to put it out?"
"I would've gotten to that if your boyfriend here hadn't decided to shoot his mouth off." Sinbad said matter-of-factly.
"Ugh…" Marina rubbed her face. "You're talking about the Aqua Ring, aren't you?"
"Yes," Sinbad confirmed. "The Aqua World Ring. We used it to control storms. All we have to do is use it, and-"
"Yeah, about that, Captain…" Kale cut in. "While we were looking for you, Captain Bemoth's crew jumped us and stole it."
"We barely escaped with our lives," Marina added. "Sorry."
Sinbad sighed. "Well... guess we'll have to track Bemoth down and steal it back, then."
"Another adventure, huh?" Sonic grinned. "Well, what are we waiting for?"
As the Chimera set off once more, Shahra took Sonic and Sally aside.
"I've been thinking it over," she said. "I want you to hold onto this."
She handed Sonic a twisted, crushed orb of metal. He raised an eyebrow.
"And this is?"
"It's our last resort," Shahra replied. "Should we fail to keep the rings from him."
"This piece of junk is gonna help us stop Erazor?" Sonic questioned.
"This is no mere junk," Shahra explained. "This is the remnants of Erazor's lamp."
That got their attention.
"His lamp?" Sally repeated.
"Yes," Shahra nodded. "When he began his conquest in earnest, he took his lamp and crushed it to prevent anyone from using it against him."
Sonic looked down at it. "And this... it could help us stop him?"
"Should the worst come to pass, yes," Shahra confirmed. "But it won't work for me."
"But I'm the legendary Blue Hedgehog," Sonic pointed out. "If I'm here, do we really need the lamp?"
Shahra shrugged. "I believe the phrase is, "'Better safe than sorry.'"
Sonic nodded, conceding the point. He looked over the crushed lamp, pondering over how he could use it in this state...
Author's Note:
So... yeah. The names of Sinbad's crew and the like come from the movie Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.
Next chapter, Sonic fights Captain Bemoth for the Aqua World Ring!
Please R&R. Until next time!
