Chapter 39
The long hallway of jail cells refused to stay silent. No matter how many sympathetic faces stared through the eyeholes or how many cellmates were taken out, people were still angry and demanding freedom. The Lightning Bolt Society might be gone, but their followers resisted this cruel mercy or easy ticket to condemnation. Only by staring at the hallway and not in their rooms would you see it as only a zoo.
One room was quiet, however. Dave was given the dignity to keep his robe after they found him. It wasn't enough to save him. He curled himself up in a dark, miserable ball, staring at the corner of the room he sat by. The right side of his head was bruised from the previous constant slamming into the wall until his head screamed that it was enough. But he didn't know what was enough anymore.
There was no point covering up his despair over, well, everything in his life. He couldn't find the will to use his charm or aggressively bear his teeth. Separated from the others didn't make him better, only feeding into his thoughts that he was sure to die alone.
The plan to shoot at the moon failed. Eggman and Zero had already deserted him. Multiple people were arrested and Dave had no one to blame for the arrest of those he cared for and wished to collaborate with. The mumbling and the judgements echoed in his mind. His glorious plan could have succeeded if it hadn't been for him being too trusting and listening to the wrong people.
In the end, Dave failed as a leader. He didn't want to face the outside world, but he knew he was a failure. He saw no point in the riots made in his memory since they would question his authority as well. No one would care for him. Nobody.
He wanted to believe Willy Walrus, his reasons why he betrayed everyone. However, Dave was right that he wasn't what Obsidian thought of him. Being evil was the only good and bad thing Dave could ever do. Anything else was a straight-up disaster. With all roads gone, the cyan nutria just blankly stared at the wall. Seeing nothing but the same color of the wall was his punishment.
A knock on the door and the eyehole was opened to reveal two pairs of eyes. One was a wild golden yellow and another was a classy but unrefined purple.
"Just go away," exasperated Dave, not hiding the tired snarl in his voice.
"You're the one who chased me for a really long time," said Obsidian's voice, feigning a flat tone. "You can't get rid of me."
Dave hummed simply. "If you came here with consent, you know what to do. Just finish it."
"Your admirers want to carry out your work," reminded Molly's voice, one of the agents he willingly led to his trap. "You know they'll get themselves killed over the same failure."
"I'm not a failure." The spark of rebellion died down quickly, unable to shield himself. "It doesn't matter. You and I only know the truth. There'll always be people who bring you down. They just want to force you to ride their petty merry-go-round."
Wracked with growing guilt of standing near the animalistic jail cells, Obsidian took a deep breath and kept his wavering voice as flat as possible.
"But a lot of people believe in your cause." He paused upon hearing his raspy breathing. "If you choose to let them down, nothing will ever change."
Dave narrowed his eyes. What was the point if change couldn't do anything?
There was no hatred in Obsidian's voice, only grief. "You are not wrong to hide away. However, those kids are like you, not the people you tried inviting. You're only one of the many who could help them heal…and I'm sorry I didn't consider that earlier."
Molly's voice was calmer, but the sorrow in her voice stirred Dave. "So, please. Let us help before they lose their lives. If we do something with your potential, maybe we can…rewrite everything. I mean, you were effective in rewriting many lives, so…we can provide the right training."
Dave lifted his eyes to the watchful pair of eyes staring at him. He thought of telling them that he had nothing left. There was nothing he wanted from those entitled agents. However, the small spark of rebellion ignited again and he found himself not wanting to lose EVERYTHING. Those kids out there, the youth who had been a part of Lightning Bolt Society, always showed warmth and loyalty to him.
This was missing from the people he tried teaming up with. Even if Zero was sympathetic, it only turned into rigid business. The same way Willy was alienated by Dave's wants. The nutria wondered whether Willy would even want to see him, but…if he could fit back in with society, could the same be done for him and the others? Would they get the same respect despite what happened today?
Dave couldn't understand this. This had to be a trap, right? He wouldn't be surprised if Agent Johnson wanted to kill him. However, Obsidian proved to be kind and wise despite sharing the same scars as Zero. He could sometimes be a doormat, but at least he didn't care much about his rivals or competition or…
"No wonder why G.U.N likes you, Obsidian," he said weakly.
Obsidian sniffed, close to crying. The deranged sounds around him likely put pressure on him, but he didn't break down. Molly remained in place, meaning Obsidian wasn't falling apart despite the guilt. And as Dave gazed at their eyes, Obsidian's slowly turned green.
Dave blinked. A part of Obsidian's ruby still lived in him. It reminded him of Zero's red eyes. Those rubies were fierce, passionate and strong. However, they were unbreakable, reluctant to oppose their fleeting ambitions. Zero's ruby found it easier to put itself in front.
But with Obsidian's glowing green eyes…those emeralds were a little weak-willed, too flexible, too sensitive. But they didn't gloss over his strengths. From Dave's viewpoint, they were beaming in compassion and understanding, wanting to understand others. Obsidian already went through many awkward situations and tough decisions to figure himself out.
Dave said something, but he didn't know what that meant.
And history would say that he became a stronger symbol for the underrated youth for a brief time. Not enough to win back trust, but enough to give the arrested youth a future.
6 Months Into the Infinite War
Obviously, it all went to shit a few months later.
Despite our best attempts, Zero became the monster known as Infinite and was the leading force in the Eggman Empire's domination. I'm sure you could guess the rest, but the months progressed underground and…I don't know where to start.
I could only guess it was as bad as your situation.
Leftover criminals warring for control of Central City. Ex-mercenaries squabbling over scraps. We were so close to securing the future of those associated with the Lightning Bolt Society and the ongoing war made it hard to find all of them. Separations would always increase during wars, but this wasn't an ordinary war.
There was no 'Ultimate Mercenary' or a symbol to put it all back together. Half of G.U.N was under the thick rubble.
It came to me that I was lucky enough to escape the mess I left behind. It made me wonder if Zero was the real mess the whole time. Here I was, some hero aiding for many survivors in a bunker while Zero was drunk in his sadistic destruction. It got me wondering: why do we always want to take our mess on others? Why do we feel that others need to suffer like we do?
Was it because we couldn't bear the thought of living alone? Or was it to prove some belief that wasn't even there anymore?
And when we did nothing, why should we have to be responsible for the messes of others? Stone was probably right, but what was I supposed to do when nobody could pick themselves up?
I didn't mean it in an accusatory way. Maybe just the thought of knowing we had to navigate the messes of others pushed me forward. I no longer had my head in the clouds because the smoke above seemed to signal something devious. Forcing me to see the people who tried their best to get by.
As I fiddled around with my fingers, leaning against the wall, I could hear Molly arguing with someone far away. Her past work of undoing the Lightning Bolt Society's mess gave her an extra boost in confidence and thrill-seeking, whether for good or worse. She had been more jumpy BEFORE the war started, more willing to fight back.
She had already gone on missions that involved battling with groups of enemies. She already took extreme training that didn't just involve shooting. She was even more willing to go outdoors for a little longer than usual.
She wasn't as abrasive as before. Just a little more, I don't know how to put it, off the walls?
It probably didn't help that half of her family went missing at the start of the war. I could hear the pent-up irritation and low spirits she tried holding back for so long.
"If you just look before you leap, then you wouldn't have gotten all of us in this place." Molly wasn't exactly shouting, but her loud voice was undeniable. "If you just knock the jackals out instead of KILLING them, then Infinite wouldn't go on his psychopath career."
That struck me as odd. Little did I know, I didn't want to see the person she was talking to. However, I wasn't sure who Molly should be talking to when it could be a spy or an imposter. The mention of my former boss got me curious. It was…a little unnerving.
I opted to push myself back onto my feet and followed the noise.
"Look," said the man she was talking to. His voice was smooth and husky with barely a hint of emotion. "I'm sorry…" He paused, seemingly trying to form the right words to say. "But think about it; at least Infinite's on his own. If the whole squad survived, then there would be at least 10 Infinites."
As I reached the end of the hallway, close to the bunker's exit, a heavy feeling rested on my shoulders and I wanted to crawl away. Leave this behind. It was only my growing paranoia that convinced me to investigate.
Molly was raising her voice. "Oh really? If so, then why did they try to persuade him to not join Eggman the whole time?"
The man gasped softly. "W-What do you mean? I'm sure that they agreed with him. Why are you telling this to me? You…don't think those jackals would back out from an opportunity like this? I was told that…"
Just around the corner was Molly. She already had a change of looks to reflect her growth. Instead of braiding her entire hair, she let a long, thick fringe poke out from her fedora and hung over her right eye. It seemed to shorten her braid ponytail. She also showed off a lot more emotion than before, her eyes wide in a disgusted glare at the man she was talking to.
Her eyes shifted to me and she looked close to exploding.
Instead, she kept her voice quiet. "Ask HIM."
The Devil's face showed itself to me and odd cracks were heard from his twisting neck. Up close and personal, I recognized his curved ears, signature to his unholy appearance. A glow emitted from them, seemingly enlarging his horns. In response, the red outline surrounding his body slowly grew bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger…
The whole room was beginning to burn. Orange wisps licked at the ceiling before they grew larger to resemble flames. Molly was suddenly gone. The Devil kept staring at me, unaware of the fire spreading through the room.
As I stood there, I realized how hot it was becoming, and I felt my fur burning.
And the fire hasn't reached out to me yet.
Something sharp snatched my jacket's collar. Past screams echoed in my mind. I watched as the Devil twirled his body around to face me…and the next moment, I knew I had chosen to run.
I was too terrified out of my wits to reconsider that action.
He was after me. I could feel it, even if he was seemingly far away. The wisest thing would be to face him since he was here, but I couldn't face him. Not after knowing what he could do. It was inevitable and I was holding onto blind hope that I could escape when, in fact, the fire was slowly catching up to my back.
I screamed when I felt it lash into my jacket. I looked behind…only to see the entire hallway consumed by flames. It became hard to breathe as smoke overtook the bright, red hellfire. I turned my eyes back to the front, seeking a way out.
The door to the next room was just close by and I crashed my body through it. However, all around me were bloody bodies, the dripping blood glitching out.
"Obsidian," growled HIS voice.
Something sunk inside my stomach and I briefly froze. This was it. I would die soon in the hands of my squad's murderer.
What remained of my fur stood up and my heart bumped against my ribs. I ignored my increasing panting. All I could think was to run away before it was too late.
I shut my eyes and madly rushed forward. The fire was catching up. The floor was crumbling underneath me. I could hear his growls coming closer and closer…his burning fingers reached out and merely pressed against my shoulders. His touch left a massive scratch on each of them and I felt my own blood leaking down from the new wounds. THAT easy for him to kill.
I had to get away.
He just wanted me to suffer.
A loud scream brushed over my face, sending me spinning around. I screamed as I desperately tried to keep myself balanced. As soon as I ran properly, I could hear him coming close. I couldn't get away from him.
The end was near and I smacked against the burning wall. Somehow, my body hadn't caught on fire yet. Probably for HIS torture. Something forced me to turn my entire body around to face him before releasing me. Letting me tremble with no grip on self-control as I stared at him, unable to get up any further.
He had the higher ground, untouched.
I was the fresh meat, lying flat on the ground.
His perfect face remained static, calmly marching over to me.
His body seemed to grow bigger and bigger with every step he took towards me. There was nowhere to run. His invisible grip was already squeezing me, waiting for me to pop. I heard Molly's shouting, but it was so faraway. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to run, nowhere to run-
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Noticing my refusal to give any sort of answer or comfort, Zero sighed and took a few steps forward. Once he got close, I wondered what he would fire back at me face-to-face. But then, he closed his eyes. Opening them, they were red. However, they didn't look like the evil eyes I saw before. They seemed friendly, beautiful like rubies.
The tempting, kind illusion of my past friend trying to reach out clutched my heart tightly, but it wasn't a memory I didn't want to ruin. Not when I knew I was soon to be on my death bed.
I choked up from seeing Zero's friendly face, the last time I would ever see it.
"I-I'm sorry," I whimpered, too distressed to care how weak I was. "I'm so sorry…"
As the tears finally poured out, I paid attention to how hard it was to breathe. The weight seemed to drop from my shoulders as I sobbed disgustingly. Feeling light and cold, I wrapped my arms around my folded legs and curled my tail around my body in one last attempt to protect myself. I was a miserable mess and I couldn't imagine a way to break out of that misery.
The entire place glitched with green codes flashing over my eyes.
In place of Zero was Shadow. Not…the Devil.
The black-furred hedgehog sported his passionate red eyes. However, I couldn't tell if they were meant to be empathetic. Hardened and barely giving a shine. I flinched when he took another step forward. He was ready to blow a hole in my…
It amazed me when he took a couple of steps backwards. His red eyes didn't bother keeping a perfect, emotionless filter over them. As his expression shifted, he looked like he was reflecting on his own epiphany. He…didn't look like a monster anymore. The horns weren't even there. Only normal, triangular ears that weren't even pointed or sharp.
The rest of his appearance was sharp and dark, but it looked like it was for show. His demeanor didn't follow that.
His movements were slow. He kneeled on the ground for an equal eye level with me. However, I shifted back slightly, my heart still rapidly beating. In response, he lowered his head in subdued shame. As I stared at him, his red eyes dilated and softened a little, but they didn't go further than that. Shadow must be feeling many things, but he was really good at hiding all that.
After a couple more seconds of silence, it came to me that the noises in my head were simmering down, no longer telling me to run for it.
He pulled out something from his spikes and tossed it over to me. Catching it, I didn't expect it to be a necklace tied together by two metallic dog tags. The words printed on them were familiar, names I had long forgotten.
OBSIDIAN OKUSANYA, BELOVED SON OF GRANITE AND COLONEL LAZULI
BEDROCK OKUSANYA, HONORABLE GODFATHER
Those were the names of my parents. Uncle Bedrock told me their names once…and my mind desperately tried looking back. There wasn't a single clear memory of the dog tags. We drifted apart too soon to focus on anything good. My uncle never cared to bring up my parents or tell their story to me. Here, in the desert, there was no time to reflect on the past.
Zero's father always said that it was best to look forwards rather than feeling hurt by…
A foggy memory finally flashed in my eyes.
He sang a soft lullaby as he dangled these mysterious dog tags above my head. Chuckling softly as he looked at them. Smiling sweetly when he heard me babble in delight…
The memory of my formative years only stopped there. There was no other part from that memory.
The dog tags Bedrock hidden away were the only thing that represented what I had in the past.
My chest was heaving again. Shadow whistled and I drew my eyes back at him. He quietly motioned the dog tags firmly in my arms. I did as he said, the fresh memory allowing me to concentrate on them. He then used his hand to gesture a calm breathing. One hand over his chest and he gently performed a gentle, slow-rising chest. It wasn't out of mockery.
There were no words said between us, but I understood what he was trying to tell me. He was…being so nice despite the two of us on different sides long ago.
I closed my eyes and focused on the dog tags pressed in my palms. The words popping up in my head were overwhelming, but they made me feel safe, connected for once to my blood family. As my mind drifted to the tags in my hand, I inhaled and exhaled slowly.
With Shadow not too close, I could repeat the calm breathing. Only concentrating on the dog tags. The fear slowly disappeared and I could only feel the hidden grief and the gratitude of a memory restored to me. As I repeated the same steps, I found my heart no longer pumping uncontrollably. I was calm. I was here. There was…no need to run.
Opening my eyes, I met Shadow's red eyes. Instead of seeing the face of a monster, all I saw was the forlorn face of any bandit from the life I had left behind. The same look from Zero's former teammates who wished for everything except violence. The hedgehog even looked frail and weary, untold experiences shaping his quietness.
And when I gazed into those red eyes, they weren't like Zero's. They were understanding. Light was finally allowed to shine in them, swimming around in the red sea.
The hedgehog looked down, guilt written all over his face. He didn't need to say it, but…he seemed sincere in his remorse for hurting my squad.
Still clutching the dog tags, my lips quivered and tears rolled down my face again.
"J-Just please," I croaked out, near-catatonic. "Please don't repeat what you did. Don't repeat what I did. I-I don't want another killer monster to arise in the world. I don't want another person to feel they have nothing to lose. I-I don't want…I don't want anyone else to fall…Zero already did, so it doesn't matter if he's dead and..."
Shadow shushed without needing to move. When I stopped, he shook his head. I couldn't tell what he had in mind, but he didn't seem interested in finishing off Infinite. His red eyes hardened again, but it was only out of wanting to finish the ongoing violence. He was as tired as I was.
I sniffed a couple of times before I wiped my cheeks. For a moment, I felt sheepish for crying. However, the black hedgehog didn't seem to bother with that. It only made him quieter and gentler around me. As we rested in this room for a while, I saw Molly appearing at the open entrance, out of breath.
Having caught up with us, Molly passed by Shadow and pulled me up by my shoulders. Knowing how worried she was, I could only give a simple blank and tired look to tell her I was alright. Her vibrant purple eyes blanched a little, relaxing. Once she was sure I was OK, she patted me on my back before returning to Shadow.
"Hey, Shadow," she said. "I'm sorry for exploding on you earlier. Well, we don't often meet, but…well…"
Shadow shook his head, reassuring her that he had already forgiven her. Once again, he kept himself sober and tender to us. Standing up, he looked around the place with a distant look. For some reason, it reminded me greatly of whenever I get lost in curiosity. With Shadow, he was trying to calculate the following steps to take.
Presumably, he already checked on the state of this bunker and the agents who were here with us. Seemingly deciding he didn't need to assist here for long, he looked back at us with a curt and straightforward order.
"Just stay here and look after the others," he suggested. "You two will need it."
"But I can go out and fight," muttered Molly in a similar manner to an eager child.
I couldn't help puffing up my chest, forgetting the vulnerability I had shown before. "Isn't it good that we help out too?"
Shadow's immediate response was to shake his head and narrow his eyes. It didn't seem to be menacing. He seemed worried and annoyed.
"If you go with me, you'll be in danger," he said bluntly. "Where I'm going, any rebellion out there will distrust me. I need to find the Resistance Army to check whether Rouge is alive. You two should remain here to help G.U.N forces."
Molly looked disappointed. I looked sideways, uncertain. However, given that the Resistance was more upfront with battling against Eggman, this was something we could understand. Shadow was also one of the many in his to-kill list, so we couldn't go out there and accidentally draw attention to those in hiding.
We both looked at each other and shared the feeling that we might not be ready. And it was OK, since there were people who would need us.
Shadow was about to leave, but I felt the need to inform him about something that could help.
"I don't know how this would help," I said honestly. "I know what a Phantom Ruby is like, but the one Infinite wields is nothing like the one I wore. All in all, I think he's stuck in his delusions."
Shadow gazed at me for a while with an unreadable expression, absorbing the implications. "It looks like so. Been trapped in his game long enough to see his freak show. I wondered if he's limitless, but it seems to tell me that he's just trying to take control of everything. Not even in a 'perfect' way." His stoic front dropped a little and his facial muscles softened a little. "Speaking of which, there's another freak show I have to tell you about. I talked to Infinite's father."
"That's where you got the dog tags from?" I asked. "L-Let me guess. The past 'Ultimate Mercenary' finally met his match and died?"
"Yes and no," answered Shadow. "I came across your village when I broke out from Infinite's illusion. It's already in shambles. Your leader, 'Uno', sends his love, but he's hiding his community in a safer place. He's planning to shut down the system of the Jackal Squads to break the 'cycle'."
Shadow was speaking the truth. With a clearer vision, I could see it. His straightforward way of explaining things bared no feigned disguises for lies. When he said 'break the cycle', a flicker of confusion and frustration crossed over him. He was as curious as anyone else.
In a way, it surprised me. After the Lightning Bolt Society's downfall, Mr. Ghost told me he was alright, but couldn't communicate any longer. Thanks to the Lightning Bolt Society's actions, military officers were on high alert for any criminals roaming the desert. But I didn't think that Zero's father would be among the first to cease the mercenary lifestyle he championed for years.
"Another criminal doing good for once," I said, astonished.
Shadow remained composed but cringed a little as he reflected on his memory. "Can't argue with that. But I'll say, he looks spooked."
From that day, I didn't get to understand what he meant. Shadow didn't know how to put it without assuming things. For all we knew, there was no sign of a Jackal Squad looking to take over. No word in the desert of who might take over the lost legacy. With so many of us migrating to city life, it was safe to say that the Jackal Squad was officially dead.
I couldn't say the same for Zero's family.
One Year After the Infinite War
"Anyways, as the months progressed, I was trusted to take on deadlier field missions while completing my debt. Lots of new criminals I had to confront and counsel, lots of old friends I got to work with. I was also able to rent this apartment close to a G.U.N agent, right on time to get splashed in the face by the Metal Virus. Not a pleasant revisit. But after that cleared, it felt like everything went back to normal. Sure, we are still trying to find the missing people of the Lightning Bolt Society, including Dave, but we managed to deal with the remaining members the RIGHT way. Example, Willy Walrus still has a long way to go to complete his community service, but he's…actually considering being a fighting teacher to kids, so that they know how to fight back."
Clay Colourz stared at Obsidian, seemingly still thinking in his own world. "So, this…activist, political, erm…protest group has split up and found better ways with 'empowering' the unfortunate?"
The jackal simply smiled. "Yeah. The survivors DID find a way to mend their friendship, but they all start trying different careers to sustain their passions. I mean, this city will remain kooky, but it's never too late to clean up a mess. The riots caused by their believers died down during the first few weeks after the war. I think it has to do with YOU being the symbol they need."
The turquoise wolf shifted in his seat, looking down. A year has passed since he broke out from his previously lonely life and he was chatting with an ex-mercenary. A stronger, experienced, old ex-mercenary. It wasn't the same as working with the famed heroes of the Resistance, but what could he do? The story he was told became proof that there was so much more to life than hiding in the woods.
So many people called Clay, looked up to him, invaded his personal space, but the pride and honor in protecting others remained in his magic-touched heart. It gave him the confidence to collaborate and seek for others.
The turquoise wolf looked back up at the cheerful, nonchalant Obsidian. He remained the same wild jackal from his past but was quite chipper and upbeat. Decked in a green, sleeveless coat with coattails and a green bandanna, his innocent smile proved his eventual rewards in his new change. The canines poking out looked more cute than menacing.
Additionally, his green-tipped mohawk could rival the colorful fringe Clay started to grow.
The similarities were too obvious, but not in social confidence. Or confidence in speaking his mind and swearing away, but Clay was only fifteen.
Clay brushed his fringe out from his right eye and looked back up. "Um, you're welcome? I never really thought of it that way. You seem like the kind of guy who would be a symbol."
"Maybe, but in the end, I'm now a team player," said Obsidian humbly. "Just like when I was with my squad. And that should be all for me since it all leads to talking to one of the many heroes of the Infinite War."
The turquoise wolf blushed but mustered all the superhuman power not to duck his head. "The pleasure is mine, too?"
Instead of a weirded-out look, Obsidian just grinned. Mecha's right, wondered Clay. Obsidian IS an oddball. He could only imagine what the younger members of his Jackal Squad would be like after hearing about Ace, Paz, Tempest…
"Wait a minute," said Clay, perking his head up. "Infinite's sword. How did you get it back? You literally left it for thieves to snatch it, had your neck touching it and somehow, you could gift it to Mecha when he visited here!"
Obsidian shrugged. "Honestly, we lost touch with the sword. G.U.N retrieved, but…it didn't mean anything. Not ever Infinite bonded with his ruby. It's the reason why I gave it away, eventually."
"Some things you have to leave behind, huh?" Clay thought for a while. "Also, how is everyone else on your end?"
Obsidian's smile became bittersweet. "Well, I've been helping with Team Blood, though they're going through some changes. Stone and Topaz, unfortunately, drove away from each other. Don't get me wrong, they're still on talking terms, but they find it best to concentrate on what they need to work on first. Molly's squad is around, but I heard their plans to work with black-ops organisations."
He hummed with a thoughtful look.
"I also managed to meet up with old squadmates and from what I heard, they're considering making a new Jackal Squad with G.U.N's funding and support…"
Clay tilted his head. "So does that mean you'll be back into bounties and stuff like that?"
This time, Obsidian took it coolly and shook his head. "Not really. We'll probably just be taking the same path Molly wants to chase. It takes one to know another in the mean streets. Besides, I think a couple of us need the payment…"
Clay didn't heed those last words. Instead, he thought about this: 'It takes one to know another.' And somehow, a year ago, he and his friends could crack Infinite's ego and armor. Maybe it wasn't the case here since it was in a society, not a worldwide conflict between two sides. The turquoise wolf still thought Obsidian was the best candidate as a symbol.
The young wolf looked down at his outfit. He went for the non-traditional army outfit. His appearance screamed emo and punk.
A two-tone colored jacket made from leather with the bottom half coated in turquoise and the top half coated in black, ripped jeans with a silver chain attached to his belt and steel-armored leather boots with colorful laces. A wide, one-piece visor rested over his eyes and a black mouth bandanna wrapped around his neck with a white skull on it. He let his dyed hair grow to become long and voluminous, swept to the right side of his face.
Looks would do the work, but Clay's work department AND attitude indicated that he wasn't exactly a symbol for the 'mean streets'.
He looked back at Obsidian. The jackal wore more modest and comfortable clothes. It didn't hide that he hadn't fully conformed to Central City or his profession in fighting and killing.
The contrast brought an amused smile to the wolf's muzzle, even happy to know that they got an ally who knew the insides and outsides of the criminal world with ease.
Sensing his visitor's calmness, Obsidian stood up. "How are you feeling now? Coffee or tea?"
Clay blinked. "I'm feeling alright."
"Just checking. You did look a little gloomy after you told your story to me."
The wolf mused about it, though a warm smile helped him to face the uncertain future. "I guess I'm quick to forget, too. But your story did help. It's nice knowing people are finding their way around the complications of…too many things."
Obsidian hummed harmoniously. "You mean, 'everything'?"
"No longer that," considered Clay. "You said it yourself. It takes one to know another."
Truth to be told, Clay wasn't sure what he said. His world wasn't falling apart and he would soon return to continue his service as a soldier and a mage. As his golden eyes peered through the bright, sunny window, he wondered if he could reaffirm the good things he got for a decent life. It was still a little hard to believe it could be fixed, but there was hope for a resolution soon.
"I hope things will work out with your friends," observed Obsidian sympathetically.
Clay nodded as he leaned against the table. As his sharp ears heard the jackal opening the pantry at the kitchen section, the wolf scanned the entire apartment building. It was a small room, but the domesticated wolf didn't mind. It was only meant for one person. And only one person meant custom designing with no constraints.
So far, it was only the living room and the kitchen section in one rectangular area. There was only one door leading to another room, the bathroom. Obsidian had the place to look like a wooden camp building, complete with tree pots filling in every corner and green flag decorations hanging from the walls. A lonely laptop rested on the coffee table, coated in dust. For some reason, Obsidian had a hammock for a coach whenever he would want to watch the telly.
As for the TV table, it was decorated with pictures of Obsidian, his hangouts with his friends and places he visited. And since some didn't look like they were set in Central City, the jackal took the opportunity to explore a little. He must have taken a page from Sonic! Though, some of the pictures included Obsidian's tiger boyfriend, Fiyero.
It felt strange for the secluded and learning Clay, but it must have been special for Obsidian.
Looking back, Clay watched Obsidian pull out a couple of coffee boxes and jugs. The kitchen section looked boring compared to the rest of the apartment because it appeared to be the most normal thing in this apartment.
"Oh, I, um, think I'll go with coffee," muttered Clay absentmindedly.
Obsidian nodded and got into preparing the drinks. As he did so, the young wolf looked up to find their small partners flying back after their small bonding activity.
Obsidian's Chao was recognizeable for sporting a similar purple fedora to Molly's.
Meanwhile, Clay spotted his Cyan Wisp for the black bandanna she wore over her invisible mouth.
The two were zipping around, squeaking away. They were going so fast that they made it hard to see their gleeful expressions.
At least until the Chao stopped and landed on Obsidian's head with a carefree smile.
"Remind me again, when did Abraham come into the story?" asked Clay.
Abraham the Chao squeaked and snuggled into Obsidian's white hair. The soft, rounded creature looked twice as adorable as he nuzzled against the jackal. However, Obsidian didn't seem to notice or mind the affection given by his partner, currently pouring hot water in the jugs.
"It was after the war," explained Obsidian warmly. "The Chao colony here played a huge part in settling people back into the reformed city. Molly thought of taking care of one, but she gave him to me because she already had 'too many cousins'."
The Cyan Wisp halted once she reached Clay's face. The two of them blinked at the same time before the Wisp giggled. She fluttered around the wolf's head before sitting on his shoulder. Adored, Clay gently nuzzled his head close to hers and she babbled in affection.
Obsidian smirked when he saw the bond between Clay and his Wisp. "What about you and Cyanide?"
Yes, Clay named the Cyan Wisp 'Cyanide'.
It turned out, she didn't really have a name. She just went by what everybody would call her. She seemed to forget her birth name, so Clay came up with one, much to the amusement of Mecha, the embarrassment of Belt and the horror of Bubblegum. Being reminded of the deadly name seemed to remind Clay of their faces when he first came up with it, but not today.
"Cyanide just met me when I chose my first Wispon. Ain't that right, girl?" In response, Cyanide cooed and nuzzled against Clay's head, making his grin wider. "And when do you think you'll eventually keep the pigeon as your pet?"
Obsidian stifled a snicker. "Don't know. The future is a mystery."
As if on cue, when Obsidian finalized the two hot jugs, there were three knocks on the door and a singalong voice from the other side calling for his name. The jackal's ears wiggled, familiar with how Fiyero greeted himself.
"Oh, he's here!" said Obsidian, placing the jugs on the dining table. "I'll be back to help you pack up before your flight tonight. Just don't break anything."
"Wait, what about your coffee?" asked Clay as he took his jug.
"Cyanide can take the other one," said Obsidian distractedly. "Fiyero might end up buying some anyway. I'll see you around soon."
The jackal already got himself moving for his date. With a simple snatch of his scarf to wrap around his neck, the confident Obsidian opened the door, revealing the giddy Fiyero waiting for him. He sent one last look at Clay as the wolf told him to take care of himself. Once Obsidian left, Clay was left alone to enjoy the jackal's home.
Cyanide chirped upon seeing the second coffee jug left behind for her. Abraham wanted to dig in with her, pulling out two plastic straws in thin air. For a moment, Clay was worried that the straw wouldn't last in the hot drink. However, it wasn't a problem as the two little creatures were already sucking up the sweet, warm goodness of the coffee.
Clay chuckled softly. He stared into his cup, his golden eyes reflecting off the shiny brown liquid. The coffee reminded him of the telling of Agent Stone's Chilli Caffeine, ancient history put to containment. Obsidian didn't seem to make the connection in the present, but it was a sign of how he could put past traumas behind.
The turquoise wolf couldn't see why not. Obsidian already has a lot. A nice home, a good job, a pack of his own. And even better, Obsidian's record as a criminal didn't stop him. It just led him to different paths that allowed him to grow, just like Clay himself.
He remembered Obsidian's explanation of Infinite and what seemed to inspire him to villainy. No, the right term should be corruption. His ruby seemed to understand Infinite's desires, but he only executed them incorrectly upon gaining sentience. Things wouldn't be bad if he left Eggman early and stayed here. The war wouldn't have happened, and Infinite wouldn't have fallen victim to his fears; he just needed to brave through real challenges to live well.
But it was all in the past. The only way forward was to move forward. Even though Obsidian messed up, there was no one to blame. It was just only…people. They were all trying to figure themselves out, especially in different places.
Clay hummed in thought. That could be what he and his friends need to know all along.
And so, he took off the visor and had his first sip of a new kind of bliss he wasn't used to.
Obsidian found it calming to be close to nature. Not just because it reminded him so much of the past outside the city lifestyle, but it also gave him more time to think. The space to run around without feeling ashamed. The place that would allow him to understand himself and what he must sort out. It could be said to be his own private world, but who was to stop him from sharing it?
The forest was already open to anyone. As he and Fiyero climbed up a slope, they took the time just to admire the trees around.
Slow in where they looked, they spotted different kinds of trees, with one not looking like the other. A kingdom of thicker or smaller trees, all in the same wet, dark and earthly colors. The sun hidden against the rainy clouds set the tone for a slightly sad drizzle, but it only made the green leaves stand out, persistently maintaining their colorful shapes.
Quiet and focused, they could smell the cool wetness of the recent rain, the freshness of the clean leaves nearby, the tough, piney smell from the trees. There was a slight, subtle stink from somewhere, but it didn't come to the couple's attention. If anything, what they sensed in this forest brought them to another state of mind.
As the city dweller Fiyero took the place for simplicity, Obsidian took it as his breathing ground. The same place Basil always loved to stay whenever burnt out or felt not needed during a specific time. He wouldn't know if it was him or the ruby who grew to love the forest, but it didn't matter. What mattered was following what he desired and learning to cherish this special memory.
Finally, at the top of the slope, Obsidian suggested that the two of them rest on a park bench nearby. Fiyero agreed and the two sat together, facing the city below them. Obsidian felt on top of the world for a moment, but it was only for this time.
He gazed at Fiyero. The soft smile and the sharp little fangs on the tiger's face were visible. A look of a lively animal. Still feisty and still friendly. The stripes would remain the same as his. The year and a half they spent together was groundbreaking. It reminded Obsidian that no one was alone in this mismatched world.
"How are you doing so far, Fiyero?" asked the jackal.
The tiger shrugged. "I'm still trying to process the news, but I'm starting to feel better."
Close, Obsidian patted him on the shoulder. "I promise we won't let any harm come to you and the others."
Fiyero's smile faded a little. "You're still sure about helping the Lightning Bolt Society, Obsidian?"
Obsidian hummed. "I don't really trust them, too. However, I will give them a chance if they take it."
That was enough for Fiyero to know, leaning his head on Obsidian's shoulder. "Hope there won't be additional jail cells needed to be built there."
"You're too hard on people your age," chuckled Obsidian.
As he said, the jackal couldn't help but indulge in his melancholic thinking. He even needed to process the words he said. It was a bit hypocritical. It was true, nevertheless. After his adventure in Central City, Obsidian knew that he was going to fall back into his bad habits again, putting himself down whenever something didn't go right. However, the distance away from the hardships of the desert and the gradual openness of the city civilization gave him more reasons to stop dwelling on everything.
Before, Obsidian would have felt wary of staying in this forest. He couldn't keep his guard down for long. He didn't want to regret taking the place for granted. However, he knew that he already felt comfortable and sure. The little monkeys in his head needed to learn to respond to the right situations. And he already trusted Fiyero. There was nothing that could defeat them.
If Basil were around, Obsidian would feel his warmth. However, the jackal was sure to face the future as a stronger person, carrying Obsidian's pride and the ruby's compassion.
He smiled, his eyes glowing green.
A loud buzz interrupted the peaceful moment. It was coming from Obsidian's jacket pocket. He remained frozen for a while and Fiyero just laughed as he pulled it out. The screen was showing Willy's face. Neutral, Fiyero planted the phone into Obsidian's hands and gave an encouraging smile. Sighing, the jackal accepted the call and put it on speaker mode.
From afar, Willy Walrus didn't lose his breath as he spun around in his wheelchair. It had been a month since his lungs were repaired, but he couldn't help moving his body despite the health warnings. From his place, he was currently at the office desk he was permitted to work at, complete with a computer and two connected to it, showcasing multiple articles and forums from the dark web.
"Rumors are at it again!" announced Willy. "Robbers are now seeking for it in the black markets."
"Um, what do you mean by 'it', Willy?" asked Obsidian, rubbing his eyes.
"The Meroke Crystal! Duh."
Obsidian blinked a couple of times. "Isn't that a myth?"
"No, it's a real thing," added Fiyero casually.
"For the last time, I thought it only came from another world."
"There's such thing as dimensional travel," said Fiyero. Sure, the past rioters battered him, but it didn't cancel out his nonchalance towards the world's magic.
"The random dude has a point," countered Willy. "If you want to grab it before they do, now's your chance."
Obsidian rubbed his mouth, hesitant. "Are you sure about this? I might end up finding nothing."
"C'mon, dude, you know that it becomes prey easily," said Willy, leaning against his chair. "From what I know, a mercenary like you can get away with it. You DID manage to outsmart a crew of robbers yesterday from stealing Pilot's Museum!"
Fiyero smiled broadly, struggling not to laugh. "Maybe you, Basil, could charge in there like a boss and fish it right out from the warehouse it resides in."
Obsidian's eyes turned green and narrowed, deadpanned. "Even if I could, I would be outnumbered one to twenty. It's too risky. Apparently, city criminals have better military weapons than desert bandits do apparently…"
Willy didn't try to bug further. He knew that Obsidian didn't believe that the Meroke Crystal would exist. For a long time, just like the Phantom Ruby, nobody was sure whether it did exist. Its design and powers were popular amongst many, including those looking for a cheap battery to use for self-serving purposes, to the point that it seemed like only a relic of popular culture.
It would take some convincing to enlist Obsidian's help, but he was right. Whoever was holding it wouldn't be a laughing stock…
A lightbulb flashed over Willy's head. "Um, well, Basil or Obsidian, I actually know a guy who could help you with that! He's an excellent hacker!"
This sounded good news to Obsidian. "Are you sure he's just trying to get away with crime again?"
"No, no! He's changed!" claimed Willy sheepishly. "I'm sure. He's been chatting a lot about wanting to be like those spy heroes. He's a self-proclaimed nerd. Dave taught him much about hacking into criminal channels so that he could be a reliable mission control! This would reduce his juvie sentence, right? I just…thought that what I found might be helpful, ain't it?"
The jackal gave a thought about it. The easy answer would be to say 'yes' or 'no'. However, as a G.U.N agent, Obsidian wanted to ensure that he could trust the hacker and a plan to retrieve the Meroke Crystal. Even Obsidian had yet to complete his sentence, so he would need to be careful with the limited power vested in him. As he thought, he gazed back at the city.
Before, he imagined the city as neater and cleaner with riches and gold. Now familiar with the technicolor and the different shades of grey, it felt like a humble home. Nearly the same way as his birth town. It wouldn't be the same for others, but Obsidian knew that there was potential to change a few things around, even if it might not be perfect.
Willy Walrus didn't have to wait as the quiet jackal thought about this idea. Either way, they should be fine in the end.
Fiyero smirked and raised one of his eyes. This would be interesting to catch up on.
The jackal smiled as he looked aside with his golden and green eyes sparkling and blending together in an exciting gradient. Perhaps Obsidian could pull this mission off with no problems.
After all, how could he refuse?
THE END
AN: More than two years in the making, it is still growing, but it can finally be put to rest. Obsidian might not be done, but his story is complete.
There was no doubt that Shadow would appear and I bet that you'll be surprised to see Clay Colourz here, my first OC period! Since it had been a while ever since their 'last' appearance in 'Forces United - A Test You Must Partake', their characterisations might be a bit different. This was more of a challenge for Shadow, but I carried on with how I originally made him slightly flexible and willing to hear people out while staying true to his no-nonsense personality. For Clay, I had been considering which old character of mine should return for a cameo, but it makes sense to bring back an old avatar character of mine, especially story-wise.
As we mark the ending chapter of 'as hard as an obsidian rock', I love to thank you so much for following, commenting and joining Obsidian's confusing and thrilling journey. There are some parts that I love and some parts I regret, but this story holds a dear part of my heart. OK, it might not exactly be how I navigate through the internet since it's not perfect and slightly unrealistic, but I hope this story resonates with many people, too.
Before I say goodbye to this story, I would like to give an honorable shoutout to two of my friends who have been writing Sonic fanfics for a long time, too. Thank you, Tashasaurous, for enjoying the story. I should also thank you for introducing me to the next guy I'll be mentioning. Thank you, Assassin's Creed Master, for joining the ride and giving me the advice to sharpen my skills. I don't know about you two, but I also tried hard to make this story good as much as you would. But next time, don't hold back with what you must do first. I learnt it the hard way, too, so take good care out there. But I hope you'll be OK, guys.
You know the drill. Favorite and follow and constructive criticism will be appreciated. I'll be taking into consideration some advice for the next Sonic story.
Until then, be kind, watch your back, go outside whenever you feel too overwhelmed, watch out for pesky pigeons and keep on rocking.
- Cheah