Don't you just love it when you write something, but then have to go back to an old chapter to fix something so the wording makes sense XD? I had to do that when I couldn't write a sentence correctly in this chapter. If you know where the change is and what it used to say, good for you lol
Anyway, I hope you enjoy! :)
NOTE: I ONLY OWN MY OC(s)! EVERYTHING ELSE BELONGS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS!
CHAPTER 4: EGGMAN STRIKES
Humans and Mobians were running away in fear after seeing a giant octopus robot appear out of the blue. Oddly enough, it was only attacking the edge of the city and around Emerald Coast. Even so, everyone ran away to stay safe.
As many would've guessed it, Dr. Eggman's controlling the robot and he was getting angrier and angrier. "Gah! I can't believe we lost that merhog! That storm last night messed up my tracking!"
"But you never planted a tracking device on her," Cubot pointed out.
"Not that kind of tracking, you dolt! I made a device that reads off moon power!"
"Not that I doubt you, sir, but why Station Square?" Orbot asked. "I don't believe she could possibly walk on land."
"You're right, Orbot, she can't," Eggman surprisingly agreed. "But this is the last known direction before the storm got worse, so she must be hiding somewhere near here in the water!"
Cubot couldn't help but take out his camera and look through the pictures he had taken when they invaded Mermobius. "Man, I always thought only humans can be part fish, but I didn't think Mobians can be, too!"
"You know, you really need to be more specific with this sort of thing," Orbot scolded Eggman.
The Doctor let out an annoyed growl. "Just because I said 'merpeople', doesn't mean—GAH!" He and the robots let out yelps when the octopus robot took hits from bullets that came out of nowhere. "What in the?!" Eggman looked out the window and saw a familiar plane in the distance. "It's Sonic and his annoying friends!"
"Ha!" Sonic laughed. "We got his attention! Hit him again, Tails!"
"On it!" Tails exclaimed with a smirk. "Tornado bullets… Away!"
The fox pressed a button, and more bullets came out of the Tornado. Eggman quickly tried to deflect as many bullets as he could by using the octopus robot's arms, but it was too much for him.
"Two can play that game!" Eggman growled before pressing a button. "Firing the Octobot missiles!"
Octobot raised six of its eight arms and fired missiles at the Tornado.
"Hang on!" Tails shouted to his friends, and he maneuvered the Tornado away from the missiles. But they began to follow. "Aw man, homing missiles!"
"You can stop them, right?" Amy asked.
"I can try, but I'm going to have to drop you guys off, so you all don't get hurt and that Eggman doesn't slip away!"
"You got this, buddy!" Sonic grinned, preparing to hop off alongside Knuckles and Amy.
With a nod, Tails flew the Tornado close to Station Square, and Sonic, Knuckles, and Amy quickly hopped off. They watched as Tails flew away with the homing missiles still in pursuit, but they have faith that their fox friend can outmaneuver them and maybe destroy them.
"'Sup, Eggman!" Sonic smirked. "I was beginning to think you moved on!"
"Oh puh-lease!" Eggman scoffed. "Why move on when I'm this close to taking over Mobius!"
"Isn't it technically Earth?" Cubot asked Orbot curiously.
"I think it's both," Orbot answered.
"WHATEVER!" Eggman shouted, causing the robots to yelp. "The world will soon fall to the Eggman Empire! And I will not have you meddlesome pests get in my way!"
"Well, these 'meddlesome pests' are going to stop you no matter what!" Knuckles shouted and pounded his fists together to prove his point.
Amy summoned her Piko Piko Hammer and twirled it in her hands. "You boys up for some takoyaki?"
"Sounds tasty!" Sonic said and got into a running position. "Let's go!" He took off at the Octobot, with Knuckles and Amy following.
Back at Tails' workshop, Cream, Cheese, and Selene were taking a nice sandwich break after a lot of moving practice.
"You're getting better at moving around, Miss Selene," Cream said happily.
"Thanks, Cream!" Selene smiled and looked at her legs. "I guess it helps when they aren't feeling so tingly and numb."
They both giggled while Cheese happily munched on his sandwich.
Selene then looked down in thought and looked at Cream. "Hey, Cream?"
"Yes?"
"What exactly happened when you and your friends fought Chaos?"
Cream looked down in thought. "I wasn't there when that incident happened, but from what Amy told me, Mr. Chaos was super strong. Mr. Sonic was able to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to fight him and reverted him back to his normal self."
The merhog widened her eyes. "He single-handedly defeated Chaos?"
"Yup!" Cream nodded happily. "Mr. Chaos is now back to his sweet, caring self. I wish I got to meet him, but I'm told he left in peace and would return when the world is in crisis."
"Chao chao…" Cheese chirped softly. He wanted to meet Chaos, too, knowing that he was a guardian to his species back in the day.
Selene was shocked to say the least. She looked down in thought and smiled a little. Unbelievable… To think that a powerful being like Chaos was calmed after being sealed for three thousand years, all because of Sonic. She then frowned and lowered her ears. But if Chaos is now calmed, then how come the Leviathan is still angry?
"What's the matter, Miss Selene?" Cream asked after seeing the merhog frown.
"Chaos and the Leviathan share a connection," Selene explained sadly. "When one feels something, then the other does, too." She looked at Cream with worried eyes. "If Chaos isn't angry anymore, then why hasn't the Leviathan returned to its peaceful self?"
"Maybe we'll figure it out while you're here with us," Cream answered with a look of reassurance, even holding the merhog's hand to comfort her.
"I hope so…"
"Let's see how the others are doing," Cream grabbed a remote from the table and turned on the TV.
A woman in her thirties with short red hair and green eyes wearing an orange outfit appeared on the screen. "This is Scarlet Garcia with an important news flash." Video footage of Sonic and his friends fighting Octobot appeared next to her. "After months of hiding, it seems the notorious Dr. Eggman is back and causing mayhem in Station Square. Witnesses report that Sonic and his friends are dealing with the crisis, but they appear to be struggling with the Doctor's newest creation. Citizens are advised to stay clear of the area until the ordeal is over."
Cream got worried with Cheese looking distressed. "Oh no! I hope they manage to beat that nasty robot!"
Selene watched the screen in silence. Seeing Eggman made her blood boil and maroon quills bristle, and why wouldn't it? He attacked her home, and she was forced to flee so that he wouldn't attack her people anymore. Here she was sitting on the couch eating sandwiches, while her new friends were having trouble beating a giant, robotic octopus. What kind of a Moon Keeper was she?!
With clenched fists and narrowed aquamarine eyes, the merhog got up and marched to the door.
"Miss Selene?" Cream quickly got up and ran after the merhog with Cheese in hot pursuit. "Where are you going?"
Selene went outside and headed straight to the cliff overlooking the ocean. "I can't just sit here while your friends are fighting for my sake. I must help them!"
Cream grabbed the merhog's hand, stopping her from moving. "B-But what if Eggman gets you? Mr. Sonic told me to keep you safe from him!"
Selene gave the rabbit a frown and kneeled to her level, placing her hands on her shoulders. "I know, but what kind of Moon Keeper am I if I let others do my battles? Don't worry, you helped me get used to moving in this form. I'll be fine as long as I'm with your friends. You and Cheese stay here and wait for us, okay?"
Cream, still unsure, gave Selene a small nod. "Okay, Miss Selene…"
"Chao…" Cheese whimpered.
Selene gave the two a smile before looking in the direction the Tornado went. She made a dash for the cliff and dived. Before reaching the water, she focused, and her body turned white. Gone were her legs and outfit as she is now a Mermobian once again. She swam as fast as she could to Station Square.
Cream and Cheese watched with worried eyes. "Be careful…"
No matter how many hits Sonic and the others landed, no dents were formed, and they were getting tired. Tails has joined them, for he was able to out speed the missiles and destroyed them with his own missiles.
"Geez!" Sonic panted. "What kind of metal did Eggman use for this thing?"
"I don't know," Knuckles answered. "My punches can't even make a dent!"
"Even my arm cannon is useless!" Tails added with Amy panting next to him.
Eggman let out a cackle. "Ha! Did you really think beating my robot would be easy? I made sure to use the finest metal that is strong against your moves. Now to dispose of you before continuing my search."
"If you're looking for Selene, then you won't find her here!" Amy shouted.
"What?!" Eggman gasped. "You mean you know that merhog?!"
Orbot couldn't help but sigh. "Typical…"
"Duh!" Sonic answered smugly. "We make it a point to know what you're up to, and you're not going to unleash a giant sea monster!"
Eggman growled. "So, what if you figured out my plan? Nothing is going to stop me from unleashing the Leviathan! And when I do, you and your friends will be the first to go!"
"Yeah, yeah, we've heard that before!"
"SHUT UP!"
Eggman got Octobot to move its arms and they wrapped around the four tired Mobians. They gasped in alarm and are struggling to get out of its grip.
The madman let out another cackle. "Farewell, Sonic Heroes…"
Suddenly, a splash was heard from behind Octobot. And before Eggman knew it, he was tackled by a certain merhog, causing the robot to let go of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy. Selene propelled herself off Octobot, and she transformed into a Mobian hedgehog again to land in front of her friends. Of course, her legs wobbled, and she fell on her butt.
"Oof!" Selene got up to rub her behind. "That could've gone better…"
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy were shocked to say the least. Then again, who knows what would've happened if the merhog hadn't shown up to save them from being strangled to death.
Knuckles then got really annoyed. "Selene, what the heck are you doing here?!"
Selene gave an annoyed look back at the echidna. "Saving your life? I owe you guys, you know."
Sonic gave Knuckles a disapproving look before smiling at Selene and gave her a thumbs-up. "Thanks a lot! I'm glad you decided to show up!"
Tails and Amy smiled and nodded in agreement, causing Selene to smile back. She then turned around to face Octobot as it started to get up from getting knocked over. Eggman rubbed his head and was shocked to see Selene's form.
"You have legs?!" He asked in shock.
"Wow!" Cubot took out his camera again and took a picture, much to the merhog's confusion. "Merfolk can turn their tails into legs!"
"Amazing!" Orbot gasped in awe.
Annoyed, Eggman shoved the robots back and glared at Selene. "Impressive, I'll admit. But you just made a huge mistake coming here, Princess Selene!"
…
...
"You're a princess?" Amy asked in amazement while the boys were stunned.
Selene sighed and face palmed. "Yes, Amy, but that's not important." She glared at Eggman and got in a fighting stance. "The only 'mistake' you made is invading my home, and I will not stand idly by while my friends are risking their lives for my sake!"
"So be it," Eggman said and raised one of Octobot's arms to make a grab for the merhog.
Sonic and the others were about to step in to help, but to their shock, Selene sidestepped away from the arm and dashed forward. The merhog bended water from the sea and made a slashing motion at one of Octobot's arms. To the others' amazement and the Doctor's horror, the arm was sliced off like it was nothing.
"HOLY GUACAMOLE!" Orbot and Cubot shouted in horror and held onto each other.
Selene didn't stop there; she did the same thing to the other arms while dodging like a graceful dancer and sending some missiles back at the robot by catching them with her waterbending. Octobot was left with one arm, and Eggman couldn't maintain its balance. Before he could do anything, Selene walked up to the robot and pushed it with one finger, causing the robot (with the Doctor and robot lackeys still inside) to fall into the ocean. Satisfied, she turned to look at Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, who were at a loss for words.
"That…was…AMAZING!" Tails exclaimed.
"You were so graceful!" Amy added with a look of awe.
Selene giggled. "Thank you."
Knuckles was baffled, unable to comprehend that a Mermobian, who was learning how to use legs, defeated a robot without breaking a sweat. "What—? How—? What?!"
Sonic let out a whistle. "Impressive! Let me guess, you read books on fighting?"
"Among other things," Selene winked.
Sonic smiled, and he was about to say something else when he widened his eyes in alarm. He could see a familiar octopus' arm coming out of the water, and it was about to make a grab for Selene.
"LOOK OUT!" He shouted and dashed forward, pushing the stunned merhog out the way. He yelled when the arm grabbed him instead and was pulled into the water.
"SONIC!" Tails, Knuckles, and Amy shouted in horror.
Selene gasped in horror. Faster than the speed of sound, she transformed and dived in after him. The others ran to the edge and looked down in worry.
Sonic was struggling and losing air fast as he kept sinking down in Octobot's clutches. Eggman was expecting to have the merhog, but he couldn't help but smirk at seeing his enemy about to lose consciousness.
"Well now…" He grinned. "Here I was expecting to have Selene, but this may be better than I thought. At this rate, Sonic will finally be gone!"
"Uh…sir?" Orbot pointed out the window with a nervous look.
Eggman looked to see what the red robot was pointing at and was shocked to see Selene swimming after him looking determined. She made a slashing motion, and the water around Octobot's arm went through and got sliced off like before.
"No!" Eggman shouted in anger.
He couldn't help but watch as Selene got the arm off Sonic, wrapped her arm around his torso, and swam back up to the surface. Tails and the others were relieved when they saw Selene with Sonic in her arms but got worried when they saw that the blue hedgehog's eyes were closed.
After bringing Sonic back to the others, Selene went under and swam back to the now armless Octobot. Eggman, Orbot, and Cubot got nervous when they saw the merhog princess glaring at them. Waving her arms in a circular motion, the robot started to spin around as if it was in a whirlpool. The human scientist and robot lackeys were screaming as they were spun around. And with arms raised, the Octobot shot out of the water and flew into the sky, leaving behind a twinkle.
Giving a satisfied nod, Selene swam to the surface and went back to where Tails, Knuckles, and Amy were fussing over Sonic's unconscious body.
"Sonic?" Amy called out with a worried look.
Tails was checking Sonic's wrist for a pulse. "He still has a pulse, but it's a bit weak…"
"He must've swallowed a lot of water," Knuckles deduced with a serious expression.
Amy started to cry. "I should've taken that CPR class yesterday!"
Selene climbed out of the water and crawled over to her friends. She heard what Knuckles said, and if Sonic does have water in his lungs, then she can help get the water out quickly without having to use CPR.
"Allow me," she said gently to the others.
The Mobians looked at the Mermobian and nodded, giving her some space for her to work her magic in saving their friend.
Selene started to move her left hand over Sonic's chest, while supporting his head with her right. She moved her hand from his chest to his mouth and bended out the water he had swallowed.
Sonic started to cough up the remaining bits of seawater, much to everyone's relief, and he weakly opened his emerald eyes to see Selene looking down at him. "Selene…?"
"Are you alright?" The merhog asked.
Sonic gave her a weak smile and a thumbs-up. "Yeah… Thanks."
Selene smiled and helped the blue hedgehog sit up. She then noticed that his left arm got a large cut. "You're hurt!"
Sonic looked at the cut in surprise. How had he not noticed or even felt that?
"Let me help you," Selene bended water around her left hand and placed it on the cut.
To everyone's amazement, the water around the merhog's hand glowed. After a few seconds, she removed her hand and the water swirled around Sonic's arm for a bit before dripping off. To everyone's shock, the cut was gone!
Sonic blinked at his arm and looked at Selene in amazement. "Wow, that's good water."
"You heal wounds?" Tails asked.
Selene gave a happy nod. "Yup! I'm one of the few Moon Keepers to have this ability."
Amy gave the merhog a grateful hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"You're welcome," Selene giggled and hugged back.
The boys smiled at the exchange. Sonic, meanwhile, was still looking at Selene in admiration. She was able to use his biggest fear to fight, and it was amazing! Heck, she even saved his life from drowning. He doesn't know why, but one thing's for sure…
He's going to enjoy having the merhog around.
It was now nighttime. Everyone went back to their respective homes while Sonic decided to get a head start to see if he could find any Chaos Emeralds. Tails offered Selene the guest room in his workshop, and she's currently lying in bed wearing a light blue nightgown that Amy and Cream got for her looking at her phone.
Sadly, the merhog couldn't make any calls or texts since she's technically in a whole new world, so all she could do was look through pictures of her home. Some contain underwater seascapes, but most of them contain family and friends.
Selene put her phone to the side and looked out the window sadly. Everyone… I hope you're doing okay. I miss you…
Many fish in the ocean were swimming while some were resting. Deep within, lies a huge door made of platinum with a crescent moon carving. It's the mythical Moon Door. Legends say that when the moon is full, the door will glow, and when touched, it'll open to Mermobius. Since tonight's not a full moon, the Moon Door's not glowing, so it won't open.
Suddenly, the door started to flicker before glowing a bit. It opened and three Mermobians came out screaming. The Moon Door closed and the glowing ceased.
The first was a teenage, male, brown-eyed merhog with yellow fur and peach skin that covered his muzzle, inner ears, and torso. He has six long quills, each containing cowlick-like spikes, two spines protruding from his back behind his shoulders, and two spikes coming out of his forehead. He has a teal tail with orange fins.
The second was a young, female, fuchsia-eyed merfly with black fur tipped with cyan fur, black antennae, and peach skin that covered her muzzle. Her hair's pulled into pigtails, which are being held by green hair elastic bands. Her butterfly wings are pink and black, and she's wearing black round glasses and a green tube top. Her tail is purple, and her fins are white.
The last was a teenage, female, amber-eyed merchidna with green fur and tan skin that covered her muzzle. Her dreadlock-like spines reached her shoulders. She's wearing a black shell top and has a brown tail with tan fins.
The merhog groaned a bit before looking at the other two. "Petri? Verde? You two alright?"
"I'm okay, Curry," Petri said. "Still a bit dizzy…"
"What a ride…" Verde muttered before shaking her head and looked at Curry. "I still can't believe Oracle had a key for the Moon Door."
Curry reached into his quills and pulled out a key with a crescent moon on it. "Yeah, but at least he was kind enough to give it to us so we can find Selene and help her."
"So where do we go?" Petri asked.
The merhog put the key away and exchanged it for a moonstone. "Oracle said that this moonstone should lead us to her. It's mainly used to locate the next Moon Keeper once the previous one has passed, but it should still work in finding the current one." He held the moonstone in different directions before it started to glow a bit. "This way!"
Curry started to swim away with Petri and Verde following to catch up. Whoever these Mermobians are, they seem to know Selene; and they will not rest until they find her.
I forgot how tough writing battles can be; which is why this chapter took so long. Not sure if it turned out the way I wanted it, but hopefully it'll get better in future chapters. I had to listen to music for inspiration. Mainly battle music from Bayonetta XD. See if you guys can spot some Avatar references; they're close together.
We got to see what Selene can do, and we got more Mermobians joining the gang soon. I'll have their info up on my profile soon. It won't have everything, but I'll update it as I go.
I also made a poll regarding Selene. It probably won't appear in this story, but I wanted some thoughts on the idea.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the story so far. If not... then oh well XD
See you next time!