-Chapter 213-

The Color of Hatred

After leaving the remnants of the Sand Scorpion to be swallowed by the desert, the two would-be rescuers chased the pterodactyl carrying King Shahryar. In time, their surroundings changed from a desert to a lush rainforest filled with numerous dinosaurs and prehistoric plants. The King struggled furiously as the pterodactyl flew over a cliff, and even from a distance, anyone could see that the winged beast was considering this prey not worth the effort. Realizing its intent, Sonic frantically rubbed Shahra's ring, summoning the genie.

"You called for me, Master?"

"Yes!" Sonic practically screamed, pointing up at the King. "I wish you would save King Shahryar!"

"Sonic, remember what we told you. Be specific. In what manner would you like the King to be saved?"

At that very moment, the pterodactyl released Shahryar, sending him plummeting.

"It doesn't matter! Just PICK ONE!"

Shahra nodded, and suddenly, the carpet he and Sally were riding on was ripped out from underneath them. They both went plummeting into a tree as the carpet soared right under King Sharyar, who landed on the soft surface of the rug. He collapsed onto it, gasping in relief.

"Oh praise Allah… I'm alive…"

Shahra smiled as the carpet began to gently lower the king safely to the ground, cradling his collapsed form. She then turned towards the two Mobians, who were hanging unceremoniously from various branches of the tree.

"My own fault…" Sonic muttered, picking himself up.

Sally got up as well, fixing her hijab while nailing Sonic with a deadpan glare. "You think?"

Shahra floated over to them at that.

"Shahra, is it too much to ask that you not do crap like this when I make a wish?" Sonic asked, annoyed.

"There was a lot of gray area in 'save the King,' and you did say to just pick a method of doing so," Shahra pointed out. "Be specific with your words. The deal is in the details."

"In my defense, the King was literally about to die."

"Just... promise me you'll be more careful with future wishes," Sally requested.

"Alright, I promise."

They climbed out of the tree, approaching King Shahryar. By now, he had calmed down and was sitting properly on the carpet.

"You have my thanks for the timely rescue," the king said gratefully.

"It's what we do, sir," Sally replied.

They heard a screech, looking to see the pterodactyl flying for an intimidating-looking building in the distance.

"That doesn't look friendly." Sonic mused.

"A relic from an ancient kingdom," Shahryar explained. "Nowadays, we call it the Evil Foundry. It seems Erazor has taken up residence there, assembling more minions."

"Reminds me way too much of Eggman's lair," Sonic noted.

"Took the words right out of my mouth," Sally said.

"Well, now we know where we're going. In the meantime…" Sonic paused before rubbing the ring. "I wish for the King to be returned to his palace immediately and safely."

Shahra smiled, and the King vanished in a puff of pink smoke.

"There you go. Simple and specific."

"Third time's the charm," Sonic mused.

"That was your fourth wish," Sally pointed out. "Wait, fifth. Sixth?"

"Semantics," Sonic said simply.

At that moment, the ground began to shake ominously, pebbles kicking up. Sally turned, going pale as she saw the source; a stampede of numerous enraged Triceratops headed straight for them. Sonic turned himself, his jaw dropping.

"Get on the carpet!" he shouted.

Sally jumped on, Sonic just taking off running.

"What even set them off?!" Sally demanded.

"Beats me!" Sonic replied. "But I'm not waiting around to find out!"

They took off through the jungle, weaving through trees as they tried to escape them. Eventually, Sonic ducked into a crevasse in a nearby wall, Sally levitating overhead on the carpet as the stampede blew by them. They watched them rush past, not even daring to move until the last had moved on. Only then did they both breathe a sigh of relief.

"Well, that was random," Sonic remarked. "First off, what the hell did we do to piss them off like that? Second, since when are there freakin' dinosaurs in the Arabian Nights?!"

"Your guess is as good as mine, Sonic," Sally said as she pulled him onto the carpet. "And frankly, the dinosaurs are news to me too."

"Well, the book only focused on Scheherazade telling the King the stories," Shahra pointed out. "It doesn't really tell you absolutely everything about Shanazar."

"Right, I forgot," Sonic facepalmed. "We're on another planet, not just in a book."

"Hang on…" Sally perked. "Sonic, I think I might know what set those things off. I think one of the World Rings is in the jungle."

They turned to her.

"They embody emotions, right? And it must've spread to the wildlife."

"I believe she might be right," Shahra remarked.

"Luckily, the stampede left quite a trail in its wake," Sonic said. "We'll follow it back where it started and see if we can't find that ring."

They headed through the downed trees and trampled ground, looking around for a bit.

"Keep on your toes," Sally warned. "There's no telling what has the ring, or when we'll run into it."

As if on cue, they heard more thunderous footsteps, followed by a terrifying roar that was headed their way. Sonic gulped, his quills tingling.

"Okay…" he began nervously. "I've seen Triassic Park more than enough times to know what that sound is."

As if on a cue, a massive Tyrannosaurus Rex broke through the trees, roaring even louder. Its eyes were glowing a bright red, and there was a glowing green ring embedded in its forehead.

"It's... a good thing I used the bathroom before we came here," Sonic managed.

"How do we fight this thing?!" Sally demanded.

"We don't," Sonic replied. "All we need to do is dislodge that thing from its forehead."

"And we do that how?!"

Sonic jumped out of the way of a bite, running into the trees as he racked his brain for a solution before perking.

"I've got an idea!" he quickly rubbed Shahra's ring. "Shahra! I wish for a rope!"

In his hand, a massive coil of rope appeared. Seeing it, Sally immediately got his intent.

"Give me one end!" she yelled.

Sonic tossed it to her, the two getting ready as the T-rex's footsteps came closer.

"On three, pull!" Sally shouted. "Ready?! One-"

"THREE!" Sonic screamed before yanking. Sally instinctively did the same, pulling the rope taut just as the T-rex emerged from the trees. They were nearly yanked off their feet, but Shahra intervened, the ropes wrapping around several trees to form anchor points. With a cry, the T-Rex went tumbling down. The resulting crash shook leaves from the trees and bounced Sonic and Sally a foot in the air as the T-rex groaned before passing out. Sonic cautiously approached, picking up a branch and poking it a few times to ensure it was out before climbing atop its head. He perched right on its nose, staring at the ring.

"Well, here goes nothing."

He reached out and touched the ring. The instant his fingers made contact, it exploded into green lightning, and more memories were pulled to the forefront of his mind. He saw Robotnik cackling in his Egg Mobile, lording over an army of Robians while the world burned around him. He saw Neo Metal Sonic taunting him with a recorder, anguished screams echoing in his ears. He saw Kodos standing in the middle of Station Square, blood on his claws and murder in his eyes. Seeing these images, Sonic's heart was filled with nothing but the darkest of hatred. When he came out of it, the green World Ring now around his wrist, Sally slowly approached.

"Sonic?"

She jumped as Sonic spun around, slamming his fist into the tree trunk closest to him with enough force to shake it and leave a hole.

"Sonic!" Sally screamed.

"Hatred..." Sonic let out. "That's what the Green Ring is…"

The veins on his chest were expanding a bit faster, and Chaos lightning was sparking in his eyes, an ominous black color. The Green Ring on his wrist was pulsating and glowing, but rather than the pleasant warmth the Yellow one gave off, this one felt like it was burning.

"Pure, undiluted, red-hot sizzling hatred… I've never felt anything like it…" the memories flashed again. "Or... maybe I have."

"Are... are you okay?" Sally asked hesitantly.

Sonic took slow, deep breaths, pulling the stress ball out of his pocket and squeezing.

"You still carry that?" Sally questioned.

"Yeah... and good thing too." Slowly, the glow of the Green Ring faded. Sonic sighed as he pocketed the stress ball. "That… was intense."

Sally took his hand, giving it a squeeze.

"I'm good," Sonic assured. "C'mon. Let's get outta here before Rexy wakes up."

They hopped onto the carpet, flying off.

Evil Foundry

Before long, they found themselves before the Evil Foundry. Rather than a castle as King Shahryar called it, they took in the sights of a smoldering, medieval industrial lava refinery.

"This is a castle?" Sonic asked.

"The Evil Foundry," Shahra explained. "In olden times, they used the magic of djinn to forge powerful war machines."

"No wonder it reminds us so much of Eggman," Sally mused.

"Yeah…" the Green Ring around Sonic's wrist flickered for a moment until he shook his head. "Come on, there has to be something in there."

They headed into the foundry, looking at the numerous inactive mechanical golems leaning against the walls. Sonic rubbed his chest unconsciously.

"Normally, I'd be eager to see how long we have before these things are on their feet, but we're on a time crunch."

They eventually found themselves in the center of the facility, finding Erazor himself standing before a lava pit, arcane circles around his feet.

"Oh no…" Shahra gasped. "He's summoning more spirits!"

As they watched, Erazor held out his hands, beginning to recite an incantation.

"Ifalas zaraz I e zarak. Ifalas zaraz I e zarak."

A similar circle as the one around his feet formed over the pit, the lava bubbling.

"Come forth from the fiery depths of Jahannam, ye condemned by Iblis! Iz Afrit!"

A massive robotic hand emerged from the pit, grabbing onto the side. A second hand joined it, pulling out their owner, a mechanical monster that, sans being rusted and with glowing red eyes, bore more than a passing resemblance to Omega.

"Another Doppelganger…" Sally let out nervously.

"And considering who this guy is copying…" Sonic swallowed hard, "I'm not exactly keen on our chances."

"The Ifrit Golem!" Shahra exclaimed, catching Erazor's attention. "Erazor, why would you release it? Don't you know what happened the last time it was free?!"

"Yes." The vile djinn was smirking as he stared down the young genie. "It destroyed the kingdom centered around the Evil Foundry. Burned it to the ground, until it smoldered. Which suits my plans perfectly." He smirked before spreading his arms wide. "My power has already eliminated half of the stories that fuel this world, the pages blank forever more!"

"Then why do you need the Ifrit?!"

"Simple. I've decided to let the lfrit burn whatever remains of Shanazar." Erazor then turned to Sonic, pointing right at him. "You, blue rat! Have you gathered the seven rings yet?"

"Again with the rat thing?!" Sonic snapped. "I'm a hedgehog! Hedge! Hog!"

Erazor's eyes fell on the two rings on his wrist.

"So, you have two, but not all of them," he mused. "And I could care less what you call yourself. All you filthy vermin are worthless just the same. At any rate, I suggest you hurry."

He pointed to the flame on Sonic's chest, which was about half the size it was when he was first cursed.

"Damn it!" Sonic swore.

"With only half of the flame left, only half of your life force remains. In the meantime…"

He disappeared in purple smoke. Before they could go after him, the Ifrit let out a frenzied roar, looming over them.

"Move it!" Sonic shouted.

He landed several Homing Attacks, causing little damage, if any.

"Sonic, you're not even putting a dent in him!" Sally shouted. "If Omega was built to be an arsenal, then this thing is even worse!"

Sonic backed up as the Ifrit raised its fist, preparing to crush them. He quickly rubbed the ring.

"Shahra!" he shouted. "Lend me your power!"

Shahra appeared, waving a hand, a wave of energy emitting from it. "Time Break!"

Time immediately slowed to a crawl. Sonic grabbed Sally, taking off.

"Sorry, but we've gotta run! Don't worry! I'm sure we'll get the chance to play again real soon!"

They both landed on the carpet, and flew off before time could reset.

Sand Oasis

Later, at Ali Baba's house, they explained to Ali Baba and Morgiana what happened.

"...Then we escaped back here," Sonic finished.

"Hmmmm…" Ali Baba stroked his chin in thought. "Well, let's see... My friend Sinbad might be able to share some of his worthy knowledge with you."

"Okay, so where is he?" Sonic asked.

"Well, according to rumor, he was fighting some pirates when he was taken by the Rukh."

Sonic raised an eyebrow. "The Rukh?"

"It's a giant bird," Ali Baba replied. "Well, not exactly a bird. It's more like a living fossil. It flocks someplace out in the skies to the west."

"Well, good thing we already have a magic carpet," Sally remarked.

"Agreed," Sonic smiled. "Besides, Sinbad's one of my favorite stories."

"Of course it is," Sally replied. "You're obsessed with pirates."

After thanking Ali Baba for his help, they stepped outside, heading for the carpet. They didn't make it far before Sonic suddenly felt lightheaded, the world spinning. He took two wobbling steps before collapsing to one knee, barely catching himself.

"Sonic?!" Sally quickly knelt beside him. "Oh, no. The curse…"

"Just… give me a sec," Sonic let out a few coughs. "I'll be alright."

"No, you won't," Shahra insisted. "We have to hurry. You're running out of time."

"I know, I know," Sonic pulled himself up. "But I promise, I'll be fine."

He climbed onto the carpet, leaning a bit on Sally.

"I've got you, Sonic," she promised. "Just hold on. Please…"

As the carpet took off, despite his outward confidence, in the back of his mind, Sonic fretted over the fate that awaited him...

Author's Note:

So... yeah. Aside from redesigning the Ifrit Golem, one thing I decided on doing. Taking cues from Batman: Arkham City, Sonic has actual physical reactions to the Flame of Judgment curse, to reinforce that if he doesn't break it, he's going to die.

Next chapter, they try to track down Sinbad and find a way to stop the Ifrit Golem from frying the world.

Please R&R. Until next time!