Chapter 48 - A Quondam City
Running around and roof hopping, Sonic saw all the different changes that happened to the town. Places that looked like slums had been cleaned up to an extent. There was newer buildings that weren't seen before or he just never noticed them the first time around. Changing direction, he headed towards the ship dock area. Stopping at a two-story building roof, he gazed at the beach area. Blinking from seeing another notable difference, he quickly jumped and scaled down to the sand.
Moving closer to the sea, the water was moving in and out with the waves from afar. Putting a hand over his eyes and looking out, there fishing boats. Recalling vaguely that there were none out there, the change of seeing vessels out on the water seemed fitting. Looking more at the peer, there were small and large boats anchored. Tourist and sailors were walking on and off them which made the environment seem alive compared to a couple of months ago.
"..." the blue hedgehog blinked recalling the last time he was here.
Pressing his lips together and slowly moving his ears back, he slowly glanced to his left. Seeing no one impaled on a stake relieved the small buildup of apprehension. Fully turning to where he was looking, the scene looked opposite of the death and decay from before. The lightly colored sand to the teal blue seawater and bluish sky contrasted to the overcast and pungent environment two or so months ago. Another mental image flashed before his eyes when Speed began talking like he was reading from a poem.
'...no...' Sonic told himself in his head. Goosebumps flared on his arms remembering the feelings and emotions that occurred. Shaking his head hard, he tried to shake them off. Only partially halting the slow crescendo wave of recollection, it began to increase when he stopped moving.
"G-Gotta move and distract myself," the boy said out loud to no one.
Turning around and jogging away, he got back onto a paved street. Slowing down to a walk and sightseeing, there was a notable aspect. Different from the past, everything seemed cleaner and stable on the ground. Even the air was fairer as if the mild to high stench of decay and death had been blown away. While passing by, he listened to how people were talking.
Everyone seemed to be livelier and living better. Or, it was just the vibe they were giving off. It was enough to make the hedgehog do double takes and stares as he continued forward. Remembrances of the desolate and crude settings that were around in alleyways and corners came to his mind. However, they were far and few between now. Blinking a few times and focusing on where he was going, his ears perked up from a bustle of sounds and voices.
"That...sounds like the flea market," he muttered to himself.
Changing direction and jogging towards it, he saw the end of it at the end of a street. Slowing down to a stop and looking down it, the street vendor central was there. Like the theme so far in Oastial Harbor, it had changed. Getting out of the way of someone wheeling in a barrow of supplies, the blue boy followed behind him at a distance. Passing a few tents and stalls, the density of the flea market grew as well as the volume level.
Breaking off from following the trader, he walked deeper into the establishment. Oddly, there wasn't a feeling of hostility or something bad lingering in the background as before. There might have been a couple of glimpses his way from wall flowers, but nothing came from them. It seemed that a majority of the vendors were the same. All were selling or trading their wares, bargaining, or chatting away with people passing by or other traders.
A couple of stall owners called out to him in a friendly matter. Stopping and responding back, he approached them. Talking with them and asking questions, they responded normally and didn't get angry that he wasn't looking to buy anything. Noting that the ones that were friendly and answered his curiosity, all them said similar things. After the explosion and death mist passed, the town seemed to improve and grow.
'So what Speed did...to those people down there...and blowing up that dungeon,' Sonic pondered. Unable to finish his thought, he felt instantly uncomfortable. His mind recalled going into the Sanctum and seeing all the grotesque things down there. Feeling instant goosebumps and cold shiver down his back, he clenched his teeth together. Closing his eyes, he slapped his cheeks a couple of times.
"Come on Sonic. Focus...you are just touring. Nothing else," he spoke to himself. Opening his eyes and mentally steeling himself, he continued walking through the rest of the flea market.
Rushing through the nearby forest, a pack of stoats was heading northwest from inland. Reaching the top of a hill and braking their vehicle, one of the scouts got out binoculars from on top of the ATV. Scanning and finding the destination, he pointed out where they needed to head to. The driver backed up a bit, then accelerated down one of the well driven dirt roads. While the stoats waited in anticipation, one of the group members held herself. The closer they got to the town, the more her fur would puff out from remembrance.
'No...just need to focus on the task at hand,' the woman thought and closed her eyes. Shaking her head to rid of her nerves, a distinct one of an individual remained. It was as if a phantom had imprinted on her mind. A mixture of feelings arose as the person's uncanny stare and aura was gripping.
'He ain't there...so knock it off,' she vented in her mind. Opening her eyes and staring toward her right, the vegetation went passed her view as the ATV continued forward.
After several minutes, the group reached what looked like a perimeter wall with a gate. Already confusing the stoats, they pulled up to an entry point with a guard to the side. Seeing the individual raise its hand, the driver slowed down to a stop. Without aspects of suspicion or hostility, the security person came up to them.
"Greetings," the guard spoke from the passenger side. Keeping a hand on a firearm holstered at her hip, she glanced at everyone in the vehicle.
"What brings you to Oastial Harbor?"
"...?" the group responded with staring and blinking. Hearing someone clear their throat, the nearest stoat answered.
"We were sent from our village that is some miles south of here. We are tracking down a group of stoats that were from our village. They formed a defection group after they failed to take over leadership roles. Our chief believes they are gathering weapons to try and take over our village by force."
"I see. What makes you say they came here?"
"Our chief believes that Oastial Harbor is the only place on this entire land that would have stronger weapons...minus the metal head base."
"Gotcha...okay. Let me make a call first and then we will go from there. Sound good?"
"That's fine."
"..." the group watched the security guard turn away. Grabbing what looked like a comms device, she spoke into it. Hearing another person speak out, a short conversation occurred.
"I don't remember this place having a perimeter checkpoint," one muttered for the others to hear. "What about you Chiara? You were here most recent than the rest of us."
"It didn't have one when I left it," she answered watching the security personnel. The others saw the individual turn around and approach their vehicle again.
"Alright...so we do have confirmation that there was a group of stoats that entered earlier. Their business seem to match your description of trading supplies for weapons," the guard stated then jerked her thumb to the open gate. "You guys a good to go in. One thing to keep in mind, keep everything civil. If you have been to this place before in the past, it is a bit different now."
"You can count on us," the passenger stoat spoke with a nod.
'Keep things civil...ha...that's a riot,' Chiara voiced internally suppressing a smirk.
Hearing the engine roar a little, their vehicle proceeded forward passing the gate. Upon entering the town and going down a street or two all were looking with surprise. The city didn't match the recollection of what Oastial Harbor was. Seemingly modernized, the perceived atmospheric slum and grit old town vibe was gone. All the stoats muttered in similar statements of what happened to make such drastic changes so quickly.
"..." the female member stared at a familiar building in the distance.
The last memory in that place was the close interaction with a specter in the admin office. There were days after returning to her home village a couple of months ago that the recollection cased fear and anxiety to flare strongly. Now, it didn't bother her as much. Reaching and grabbing the crystal dusted cuff bracelets on her wrists, it gave her assurance that she will be fine. Blinking and turning away, they turned down a street.
"Let's stop over there," the leader remarked and pointed. The driver went to the space indicated and parked the vehicle. Everyone got out and stood in a group facing each other. The front passenger cleared his throat to get the others' attention.
"Alright. Let's spread out and ask around about the defectors," he informed looking at all of them. "Do not engage in any business within these walls. Looks like a large security force than before which means there are more eyes looking around. If there is a confrontation, it ain't our business to get involved. Y'all understand?"
"..." the other stoats nodded their heads.
"Good. We'll all take a direction and go a relative straight path. Report through our walkies if discovered something or danger. Move out."
While going down a street, she headed for where the flea market would be. Believing that the slum looking barter area would be the same, she was surprised when it wasn't. Only remnants of what it used to look like, feel, and aura was present. It was as if it became cleansed in a way. Recollection of the underground places beneath the town came. Frowning and looking unfocused, she saw something small and blue out of the corner of her and feeling her eyebrows go up, the blue hedgehog was looking around by himself. Seemingly unharmed, a familiar face made her feel a little less uneased.
"Hey blue kid!" Chiara called out loud. Causing nearby people to turn and stare, the child perked his ears. Turning toward her, he looked surprised initially.
'...' she thought seeing him only stare.
Feelings of consternation began to pierce her mind from the non-emotional or recognition response. It immediately went away from seeing him smile and give a big wave. A wave of relief came over her to which she motioned him to come towards her. Seeing him nod, he dashed towards her alarmingly fast. So much so that she flinched and took a step back.
"Hi Chiara!" Sonic greeted stopping in front of her. "Long time no see! Whatcha doing here?"
"..." the female stoat responded with blinking multiple times. Clearing her throat, she put her hands on her hips.
"I'm with a squad from my village. Here to find some traitors and nab them before they try to go back and take over."
"Oh, okay. Are they here?"
"My squad tracked them here. Just have to find 'em. What ya doin' here squirt?"
"Me? I'm here to see what changed before I head back to where my village is," Sonic answered. Making two fists, he put them on his hips and kept a confident smile.
'Definitely changed some,' she thought smirking at him. About to ask him if he was here by himself or was with another, both were hearing a commotion coming from within the flea market.
"Stop! Theft!" a person yelled.
People's voices rose as fast moving feet was weaving throughout the crowd. Chiara had no intentions of getting involved from not wanting to draw more attention. The squad leader stated firmly to not engage in any local situations. They were here for only business and not wanting to get more involved with outside municipalities. Turning to the child, there was a cocky look on his face. Almost as if a burning desire came to fruitation.
"Finally," Sonic stated getting into a running stance. "I can see what I can do."
"...?" the woman looked confused.
In her peripheral vision, a fox breed bipedal rushed out from the dense amount of people. Running with a cloak and heading towards them, the blue hedgehog speared forward. The speed difference between the two was stark. It was like a high speed vehicle racing towards a sprinter head on. Watching with careful observation, the stolen goods in the man's hands were snatched out by the child. As if the fox didn't notice, he rushed to a high wall and scaled over it quickly.
'...what the...?' Chiara questioned. Turning her head back to where the boy stopped, he was holding the goods around his arms. Staring at the ground, he looked exhilarated.
"...whoa...did you guys see that?" an onlooker stated in the background.
"That kid was flying on his feet," another agreed.
"Never seen a hedgehog move that fast before."
"Hey...that kid nabbed your stuff from the theft," one trader mentioned out loud and pointed. Seeing an ape breed man come up to the blue hedgehog, the boy turned to him.
"This your stuff mister?"
"Y-Yeah. I was told ya snatched it from the theft," he asked. Seeing the child offer what was in his arms, he took it from him. Watching the child, he put one hand on his hip and nodded his head with vigor.
"Sure did! Went so fast the guy never looked twice to see the stuff missin' from his hands."
"Ha! I like your spirit kid," the trader spoke with smirk. "Tell ya what. If ya hungry, I'll get ya one of those fancy snacks near my shop."
"Ooo! Yeah!" Sonic expressed with a fist pump then turned to her. "Come on Chiara! It's on me."
"...!?" she reacted with a start. Seeing others begin to look at her, she forced a chuckle.
"Heh...alright kid."
Following behind the blue hedgehog, the trader led them back to his shop. Putting the recovered goods behind his stall, he spoke loudly to one of the concession stand owners. Tossing a small money bag to the cook, he caught it and gave a thumbs up. Thanking the child for his deed, he pointed to the counter to pick up the snacks. Nodding his head with a smile, he turned around and walked over. Stopping in front of the counter, he watched while rocking back and forth from his heels to his toes.
"Aaaahh. The speedster. I'll make ya an extra helpin' for you and the lady," the cook stated loudly over the clanking of the fry pan on the stove.
"Awesome!" Sonic responded still sounding excited.
"...so...when did ya learn to move that fast?" Chiara asked getting next to him.
"Speed has been training me since we last saw you," the boy answered. Getting on his tippy-toes, he was tall enough to see over the counter.
"Oh," the female stoat responded while tensing up a little. "...is he here with you?"
"Well...we ran into security and their leader Darcia. She made a deal with him to surrender quietly, and she would show me around," he continued then began to calm down a little. "...she kind of ignored me so I left to explore myself."
'She is still here...probably is a higher rank than Chief now,' Chiara thought with a half frown. 'That means I have to be extra careful. Knowing her, she probably has an entire force now watchin' everything.'
"Alrighty," the cook announced and turned around. Going to the counter, he handed metal kebabs to the kid.
"The local special with da works. Ya tell me if ya like d'em or not."
"..." Sonic nodded. Handing one to her, he took a bite out of one. Chewing on it, it was sweet and savory with hints of spices. It made him bite on more.
"Dis sowl gool mestur!" the boy replied with a mouth full.
"Ha ha ha ha! Good da hear! Enjoy speedster," the owner mentioned then moved to a customer waiting on the other end of the counter.
"Which way are you going Chiara?" Sonic asked after swallowing his morsel of food.
"..." she answered staring at the kebab then at him. Thinking about what he asked, she had to refocus from potentially getting sidetracked.
"Well...I'm searching this area before letting my squad know of my findings...so I'm mostly going to be going to rooftops to observe."
"Oh...I don't think...that be a good idea."
"Why is that?"
"Darcia has snipers on rooftops," he began then took another bite. "I wahs up dere...but...thered too many."
"Really?" the woman asked surprised and immediately grabbed something her back pocket. Pulling it out and putting it to her ear, she tapped on it.
"Squad leader. This is Chiara. Come in."
[Go ahead] a male responded. In the background, there was small chatter followed by people walking around.
"Can't scan on rooftops...there are security look outs stationed on several."
[...this place really has changed...] he muttered sounding a little annoyed. [...continue search and stay out of sight...]
"Alright," the female stated. Removing her earpiece, she placed it back in her back pocket. Turning back to the boy, he had finished the kebab. Figuring that she would have to depart from him, she tried to see if she could get more information out of him.
"Tell me squirt," she began and lowered herself to be eye level with him. "What have you and...Speed been up to?"
"Other than training," Sonic spoke then looked down. Closing his eyes, he brought his fist up and extended one finger.
"We did camping...exploring...racing...sur-vivalist stuff...and sleeping."
"Uh...huh...did he train you on how to kill?"
"Well...we did do hunting as well..." the child began then brought his pointer fingers together. "I couldn't...muster the courage to kill...but Speed never forced me to do it."
'...strange...why wouldn't he? It is second nature for him,' she pondered after listening. Feeling a tingle up her spine, it indicated that something was near. Not getting up and looking around, she focused on where the movements were or the signal's origin.
"...?" Sonic blinked from seeing her suddenly stare at him. Looking at her eyes, they seemed unfocused as if she was thinking or concentrating. Waving a hand in front of her face caused her to blink.
"You...alright? You suddenly spaced out."
"...y-yeah. I'm fine," she commented and stood up. "Just thinking about stuff. Well, it was nice to run into you squirt. But I got to head back to scouting."
"..." the boy responded with staring at her. Narrowing his eyes a little, he was about to open his mouth when he quickly closed it.
"A-Alright. It was nice to see you again Chiara," he began. Lifting his hand up and giving an open palm wave, he turned and began walking away.
"..." the female stoat copied the gesture and watched the kid leave. Feeling a little off from the abrupt end to their interaction, the difference of 2 months ago was a bit stark.
'For a moment there...it almost seemed like he was detecting something off...what the hell was his training?' she wondered losing sight of the child amongst the crowd.
Turning around to view the rest of her surroundings, that sensation was felt again. Not seeing anything obvious that would cause the detection, the feeling of being watched was pronounced. Remembering what the hedgehog stated, she glanced upward at building tops. True to his statements, there was 2 security personnel on different rooftops. Frowning from seeing that aspect, something passed by her.
"..." Chiara darted her head left and saw that a cloaked individual walked by her. Immediately thinking it was a certain individual, the being's height and figure were larger than the person she thought of. Trying to calm herself down a little, the internal electrical current was still active.
'Something else...is here,' she thought feeling her insides tightening. Frowning a little and walking away from her spot, the intensity of the tingling was growing.
'Come on...where the hell are you...you piece of shit,' the stoat voiced angrily in her head. Feeling the sensation moved up her spine, she stopped. Turning around and looking up at the roof of a one-story building, a specter was seen. Just a silhouette of some large beast, it held red glints for eyes. Curling her hands into fists, she stared it down with killing intent.
'Play your cards you shitbag,' Chiara thought.
Glancing quickly around her immediate surroundings, there was a drainpipe that could be used to climb. Walking quickly toward the side of the building, she kept her eye on the ghost. It continued to gaze at her. Once she was along the side of the building and not too much in public view, she clenched her teeth. Sprinting, she leaped at the wall next to the drainpipe. Grabbing it and doing a deep squat, she launched herself at the roof edge.
Grabbing it with her hands upon contact, she swung her legs behind and up. Just about to handstand, she pushed off her hands like doing a forward handspring. Landing on the relatively flat rooftop, she turned her gaze to the left. Still hovering in its same spot, the dark silhouette had already turned to her. Without warning it floated towards her. As if it was challenging her and going to attack her for approaching it.
"You want some punk?" she spoke with venom and immediately power walked towards it.
Flinging the flesh part of her right thumb over the tip of her nose, she bared her teeth at the incoming ghost. Internally gripping the sensation in her spine, she forced it to move towards her right eye. Feeling it burn, her right vision slowly altered. Instead of the environment being clear with color, it became gritty with darker shades. The ghost moving towards her now looked to be an undead with other odd flesh and metal attachments. Knowing what it really was, she flung her fingers out and produced her claws.
"I'ma gonna rip ya to shreds ya fuckin' spirit."
With a hasty leap, the specter lunged at her. The vision in her left eye just looked like the silhouette flying towards her. Her right eye showed the creature charging at her and going to close line her with a mechanical-flesh arm. Quickly dodge rolling forward to the right, she felt the pseudo wind breeze above her. Standing up and torque her body right, she murderously slashed at the being. Though one view showed she hit nothing, the other showed deep gashes in the individual's back.
Hearing it screech in a high pitch; she bolted and speared it to the floor on the roof. Without stopping, she pinned it and clenched where its neck was. Squeezing as hard as possible, she was shaking in place with unfiltered anger. Clenching her barred teeth harder, only the gritty view showed the specter showing signs of emotions. Seeing the malevolence in its eyes start to shake, it suddenly froze in place. Not relenting, kept pushing until its neck gave way. A faint airy gasp was heard below her.
"...haaa...haaaa...haaaa..." Chiara breathed heavy and hard.
Leaping back a couple of feet, she watched it intensely to see what it would do. After a couple of moments silence, its image began to deteriorate. Like flakes of dead skin being scratched off an arm, the ghost's figure began to disappear. Once it was completely gone, both of her views showed nothing was left. Closing her eyes and relaxing herself, the tingling sensation became less intense in her eye.
'Just like before...focus it back into your spine...and it will go away,' she thought to herself.
Doing as she instructed herself, the current began to shift downward in her body. Eventually getting to her back, it remained there. Taking more deep breaths to relax, the sensation would eventually go away. After a few moments of waiting, it still remained at her back; however, it seemed to be spreading. More than the specter.
'...wait...that means there is-' she continued. Opening up her eyes, an old familiar face was in front of her. Staring back at her with a stoic expression, its eyes still held the same intensity from the last time she saw him. Feeling fear shoot through her from his materialization, she remained still while struggling to keep her composure.
"...afternoon..." Vermilion spoke quietly. Lethargically blinking with his right eye, the left one remained boring at her. Moving only his right eyeball while the left continued forward, he glanced at the ground to her right.
"So...you've gained something from..." he began. Turning the remaining eye back to her, he saw her tail was stiff and tilting upward. A small tremor could be seen as she seemed rigid.
"...the gift."
"..." Chiara responded with staring at him.
Dark memories and experiences flooded her mind. The accursed two-day event seemed to replay on fast forward. All the death, depravity, and despair from the prisoners relived. The carnage and brutality that this gray, ash colored hedgehog brought set her fur to rise. Despite the help of the village shaman and other supportive villagers to get over the post trauma, she realized how dangerous he really was and how reckless she was from following him.
'...wait...his voice is clearer,' her inner self commented. Blinking from not recognizing that aspect, his voice did not sound threatening which was novel. However, his aura and presence were still just as gripping as the last time.
"Did Darcia...catch your tongue Chiara?" he asked in a neutral tone.
'...this...this is a joke...is it?'
'God damn it...just shut your whining and stop acting weak. He's the LAST person you want to show this to!' her ego blared in her head.
Blinking and shifting herself a little, the action seemed to break the stiffness that was building up. Clearing her throat a little, she cautiously crossed her arms across her chest. Looking at him with an unamused face, his piercing stare was still that of a predator. Trying to think of what to say, she drew a blank. Her old mentality, her ego, cut through her mind with a quick wit response.
"Shut up."