Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to update this story again as life is getting more and more busier by the day.
So, finally we have a brand new chapter in the works!
I do not own Sonic The Hedgehog. All rights belong to Sega. I only own the OCs.
Chapter 18: Snowtown Showdown!
Things were not going the way as it should, the humiliation coursing through Knuckles as though threatening to burst like a sprout in an active volcano. He had been waiting with Star and other Wisps for the return of Sonic, Sun and the Hammer Wisp once reuniting the Infant Yeti to its kind, when a horde of the Snow Creatures materialized from the frosty plains, delivering an ambush leaving the Master Emerald Guardian to fend for his friends only to be caught in an icy breath.
Moment later, his senses returned only to be greeted with a problem: Solid ice walls shone under the sunlight, illuminating the walls with eerie sparkles, structures of pillars and flights of stairs a breathtaking sight, a staged set up for an event of terror waiting to unveil its curtains.
All barricaded by a wall blocking the path of freedom as the echidna shook his head to rid the dizzy spells.
"Ugh...Just great, that ambush caught me off-guard," Knuckles groaned with frustration, rubbing his gloved hand across his throbbing skull. "I can't believe it! Talk about humiliating!"
"Oh ho ho ho ho ho!"
"Huh?" Blinking in alarm at the unsuspected laughter, the familiarity not lost to him, Knuckles cast his gaze to the direction of where he heard it. But it couldn't be, could it? Sonic had confirmed months ago Dr. Eggman was dead-Devoured by the Mother Wisp under the Negative Corruption.
So who was it? An Alternate version of the evil scientist, only more...Jovial?
"My, my, my, I certainly wasn't expecting more company! And a red fellow, no less." The voice beamed, relief and delight evident.
Knuckles' brows knitted tightly, raising to his feet with his fists clutched, the pressure squeaking against his palms. "Alright, who's there?! You'd better show yourself so I can pummel ya'!"
"Oh, a feisty and brave one, too! I like it! Perhaps you'd be a perfect candidate for the tournament, my red friend." Apparently whoever the voice was, clearly it wasn't daunted or intimidated even in the slightest.
Chills trickled along the echidna's spines, Knuckles struggled to hold his act together as his eyes darted across the seemingly empty cavern, nothing save for himself were in sight. His heart pounded like crazy, making it almost difficult to breathe like the air was being sucked away. Was he hallucinating? Or was the mysterious enemy...a ghost? In retrospect, the seventeen year old held onto the comfort of hallucinations, as at least they would only drive him to slight insanity.
Ghosts on the other hand to suck away his soul and take over his body, or send him to the Underworld? No, thank you!
"I don't have time for your mind games," Knuckles growled deeply. "If you are in charge of this Icy Palace, I'm gonna end your non-existence and take that Lunaia Comet Shard to save this world!"
"Me? Goodness, as beautiful as this castle is, I'm afraid I am not the owner, nor am I a guest of the true host. Especially when he and his friends have given me and the poor little ones quite a cold shoulder." The voice took on a note of deflation and a twinge of sadness, prompting the echidna to raise an eyebrow.
Was he being serious now?
"So, if you're a prisoner, where are you?" This just keeps being far too suspicious, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Right here, young lad."
Trepidation coursing through his heart, Knuckles sauntered his gaze to the right only for a gasp to escape him while taking a few steps back, his eyes widening to the side of plates: There on the other side facing his own prison in a line of ice cells blocked by walls, were a horde of Wisps, fear etched across their expressions: Jade, Jumper, Burst, Drill, Spikes, Rocket, and even Star-Beam kinds all hovering, babbling in heir native language like cries of newborn infants.
With them was a very unusual, large and round-shaped alien, an anthropomorphic Tanuki with orange fur, stumpy arms with unsettling sharp fingers, his head being wide with a large black patch across his face, white muzzle, and a long tail with brown stripes resembling to a cat, a long black nose not identical to Sonic and Sun, but the long, white mustache was a near dead give away of reminding Knuckles of Eggman.
The echidna could even feel those disturbingly small, blue irisis and purple pupils in the being's otherwise enormous wide eyes bore down on him. As for the creature's clothes, a crown rested comfortably on top, carrying a long velvet cap, a lower golden head rim, a golden point on the top, and an emblem on the front that resembles a black wheel with a pair of white wings and a purple hub cap, orange coveralls with golden cuffs attacted along the sleeves, a red scarf, and a brown belt with a golden Cresent Moon and Ancient Mural Sun shaped belt, with a prisma star in between, and a spotted short cape with white fuzzy hemline, a tall collar, and golden fasteners on the front.
Silence hung heavily between the Mobian and the aliens, Knuckles sweat dropping in response for a good long few minutes that seemed to drag on like an eternity.
"...Who are you?" Knuckles inquired.
"Oh ho ho ho! Quite interested in me, I see. Well, my red friend, I am Dodon Pa! Certainly a pleasure to meet you!" The creature beamed, a wide smile budding his face. "Our host certainly has quite fasinating taste in guests."
In a near instant, Knuckles frowned, suspicion evident in his eyes. "So if you're not the leader, are you with the one who's in charge of this place?"
"(He was actually here before us,)" A Rocket Wisp piped up, raising a tentacle. "(We were captured by those weird snow monsters and brought here where we met Mr. Dodon Pa, and we met the real leader who wants to freeze all of us including him.)"
Knuckles crossed his arms. "He sure doesn't sound like he's complaining about being in this ice cave."
"Oh? So you understand what these young fellows are saying?" Dodon Pa perked, clapping his hands joyfully. "Splendid! It seems I am on the right track!"
A sharp glance did nothing to daunt the unusual individual, nor did the vemonous in the echidna's voice. "What track? What is it hat you want?"
"Oh, nothing important, young fellow. It's all in good time. Perhaps we should use this moment to get to know each other, don't you saw?" The strange fellow nonchalantly waved, a chuckle bubbling in his throat.
If the ice structure's were not chilling through his bones before, the words escaping from Dodon Pa certainly did. There was something very strange about this guy, as though he was hiding an ambition or conducting a scheme for his own purposes. A slew of thoughts set off in Knuckles' head. Whoever this man was, the Guardian ultimately decided not to trust him.
"I don't care who you are, let's get something straight here," Knuckles marched forward as he pointed at the Tanuki. "We're not friends, and if you're up to something, I'll stop you and rescue these Wisps and get the heck outta here!"
"Why the rush? We certainly have all the time in the world."
Knuckles didn't respond this time, a growl akin to a war cry rising from his throat. The Wisps could only hover, concern lacing their adorable faces as they switched their gazes between the two staring each other down before exchanging glances, their babbles drifting into the cold astmosphere. Did this Mobian truly not trust Dodon Pa?
"(Do you think Sonic will come?)" A Star-Beam Wisp's tentacles clasped together, as though she were sending a silent prayer to the heavens above.
"(Of course he will!)" The Drill Wisp assured, confident. "(He's the Hero of the Wisps and the whole Universe! He'll save us!)"
Some of the other Wisps all babbled happily with agreement, their confidence chimed like bells ringing across the valley. They knew the Drill Wisp was right: Sonic the Hedgehog was their hero, their idol, their closest non-Wisp friend. If anybody can save them all from the mean, snowy monsters, he can!
The trip back dashed by as Sonic and Sun bolted back as fast as the former's feet could carry them, his shoes barely touching the soft white layers beneath him, only wavering in the slightest to change direction. The Wisps, including the Hammer Wisp, soared through the frigid air, leaving behing trails of blurs like a rainbow smearing of wonders. The blizzard's harsh wrath had since died down, the thickening fog fading, making it far easier to traverse through the canyons.
As the two hedgehogs neared the portal, the hero of Mobius spotted the golden hue illuminating, painting a light brush of light through the barely visible layers of white confetti descending from the sky.
"(There it is!)" The Hammer Wisp gestured.
"(Wow! We made it!)" The Bomb Wisp's eyes widened to the size of plates. It was hard to believe they had returned to whence they came from.
Sonic skidded to a halt in front of the Portal, creating a light trail of powder with a light squeak as the friction protested against his red sneakers while allowing his brother to finally rest on his own feet, hunching forward with his hands resting on his knees to catch his breath.
"(I remember seeing this)," The Cube Wisp hovered closer, inches from the swirls gently carving. "(This is where we came through from the new world that kinda looks like Aquarium Park that Baldy Nosehair trapped us in.)"
"(Uh, actually, it is the Aquarium Park world you and big brother Yacker told us about. It turned into the icy and beachy world because of the Falling Star's pieces.)" His fellow grey alien sauntered over flatly.
Sun crossed his arms, impatience evident across his features. "Let's worry about explanations later, please. We don't have have time to hang around here."
"Right," Sonic nodded with agreement. "We gotta save Knuckles. Hammer, you and the other Wisps stay with Yacker, Flame, Star and your Star-Beam friend and follow them to Tails' ship called the Blue Typhoon. Me and Sun are gonna rescue our friend and take on those meaner ice monsters."
The little Wisp cutely saluted, his brows knitting in seriousness. "(You got it, Sonic!)" His fellow kind all followed, their salutes all lined up like a small army, Sonic held back his fond laughter.
Man, these little guys are just too adorable for words.
The chilling temperature dropped to the lowest levels beyond comprehension, Star continuously rubbed her hands to increase the warmth, her teeth chattering even with Flame's illuminating heat flowing to prevent her, Yacker and the Star-Beam Wisp's bodies from freezing over. They had since recovered from the ambush, but the weight of Knuckles' capture hung heavily, no one spoke since the lavender hedgehog made the emergency call to Sonic and Sun back on Mobius.
Star bowed her head low from the guilt rising up with her deepening concerns, the lump in her throat refusing to go away as she closed her eyes. Why did Knuckles have to go and risk his life to save her and the Wisps? Why couldn't see have been captured by those monsters instead?
"(Hey, look!)" The Star-Beam Wisp's attention was drawn upon the portal.
The others' gazes all gained, they all collectively gasped as a numerous figures stepped through, Sonic, Sun, the Hammer Wisp and more Wisps now: Bomb, Drill, Cube and many more. Happiness immediately elitched across the small creatures faces as Yacker and the other Wisps bee-lined for their friends and family, relieved squeaks chimed like soothing bells, babbles similar to infants. The Wisps all hugged, snuggled and flew about happily while circling around the three hedgehogs, even the female Wisps...er, kissed(?) Yacker's cheek, little hearts floating in response.
"Sun! Sonic!" Star immediately raised to her feet before hugging her boyfriend and the hero of Mobius tightly, relief lacing her features. "I knew you'd come back!"
"W-Whoa, hey! Take it easy, Star!" Sun winced, yet reciprocating the hug none the less. Boy, girls are a lot stronger than they look.
"Is the baby Yeti okay? What happened?"
"She's fine, Snowy's back with her family safe and sound, and we met up with old and new friends along the way." Sonic assured, pointing at Boom and the other Wisps who communicated close by.
"Snowy? And...Wait, you mean it's a girl?" Star blinked, surprise rooted her to the spot.
"It's a long story, but we'll explain later," The blue hedgehog's expression shifted. "What happened to Knuckles?"
"It's like I said, Knuckles got kidnapped after he saved us and Flame used his fire powers to at least scare off the remaining snow creatures," Star's ears drooped. "I'm really sorry, Sonic."
Sonic winced in deep sympathy and guilt, one hand crawling against his sculp. If only he had come back sooner, now those snow monsters had kidnapped one of his oldest and closest friends...! He clutched his fists, Sonic almost made his own hands bleed with the force of his trembling fists once more.
His emerald gaze sharply turned to the gigantic castle in the distance, its shining glory and sparkling beauty were only a disguise hiding the most hideous monsters ever created, like an evil witch diguising herself as a beautiful, kind woman luring her prey to their doom. He knew what had to be done, but this was a rescue mission that cannot be done alone.
"It's not your fault, Star," Sonic gently placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, offering no other than support. "We're gonna rescue Knuckles and get that Comet shard. But we're gonna need all the help we can get."
"(How are we gonna do that?)" The Cube Wisp tilted his head, perplexed.
"You'll see," Sonic winked, a smirk flickered onto his lips with a collective wink.
Pow! Bang! Bash! Thud!
Knuckles' fists collided against the freezing barrier blocking his way out, thunderous punches shaking the walls and ground doing little to even make a dent in the ice, only tiny chips rained onto the floor like tiny flakes. He's been at it for quite sometime, and his audience could tell he was slowly losing his stamina, while the walls remained firm and refusing to crumble against his might.
"Ugh! Come on! Break already!" Knuckles grunted, frustration boiling as he panted heavily, his lungs burning as though they were on fire and his arms trembled heavily, the force of the futile punches and the bitter cold only making things worse.
"Quite strength you got there, young red fellow," Dodon Pa remarked, enthusiastically applauding despite he and the Wisps were still just as trapped. "I've never seen anyone so powerful before."
The Wisps all exchanged concerned glances, uncertainty evident in their eyes. If Knuckles, claimed to be stronger than Sonic, couldn't break through these walls, could their blue hero do it from the other side?
"Thanks for the compliment, but I have more important things to do when hang out with you," The echidna scoffed, dubious of the stranger's sincerity.
Amusement twinkled in Dodon Pa's eyes. "Oh ho ho ho! Why the rush in leaving? We have all the time in the Universe to know one another. Why, these young Wisps have foretold many tales of their blue savior, Sonic the Hedgehog. A brave young hero, I must say."
Knuckles gritted his teeth, his poisonous glare cast upon his 'roommate' who remained irritatingly un-intimindated. The more Dodon Pa spoke, the more his nerve's aggravation only escalated. Just who was this guy anyway? And what was his sudden interest in Sonic? The being's tone held something akin to a dark secret, thoughts brewing in the Guardian's mind on what the intentions were.
Another speculation surged with his eyes widening to the size of plates: Maybe Dodon Pa was a cohort to the Mischief Five, or maybe...no, he couldn't have been the true cause of Cormain's lingering darkness to which possessed Spirit. Still, the idea of him teaming up with the transformed Wisps to ensure Sonic and Tails' capture and imprisonment on Planet Wisp couldn't be shelved just yet.
Knuckles crossed his arms as he turned face to face with Dodon Pa, his escape attempts put to rest for now. "And what interest do you have in Sonic? What do you plan to do with him?"
"Nothing for you to be concerned about, red echidna," Dodon Pa waved dismissively, far too casually. "I just would like to see him for his talents."
"Oh yeah? And how do I know this isn't some sort of trick?" The echidna's brow rose, suspicion etched onto his face.
"All in the good time, my friend. All in the good time."
Despite not anticipating Knuckles stomping over to the wall, nor the thunderous punch against the ice barrier rocking the area and the frightened squeals of the imprisoned Wisps echoing around them, Dodon Pa still remained calm against the fury ignited in those violet eyes.
"Lemme make something clear here, Dodon Pa! We're not friends, and when we do get outta of this place, I'm NOT gonna let you get anywhere near close to Sonic! You got that?!" The vemonous toned warning poured out of Knuckles as though acid had polluted a crystal clear, fresh clean river.
The silence followed for an agonizing few minutes, the daunting tension between Knuckles' fury and protection over Sonic and the Dodon Pa's dismissive attitude made it very uncomfortable. The Wisps all exchanged worried glances, uncertain what to do, or whether they should intervene with Knuckles and Dodon Pa. Unlike the echidna, the strange bigger alien was very friendly to them, holding no sense of danger or evil within him.
Just a very strange fellow, a construct to the friendly, kind nature the Mobians-Sonic and Tails, possessed upon first meeting, and the cruelty Dr. Baldy McNosehair unraveled at the time of his invasion at their home.
"Oh? You seem to misunderstand. My intentions are not to harm the blue hedgehog. I'm merely curious of his strength and skills." Dodon Pa tilted his head, still irritatingly undaunted.
"Yeah, well, go find somebody else to help you with your plans, because we're not going through-Huh?" A shimmer of chimes cut Knuckles off of his rant, the whistles of winds sweeping across the chambers as though someone was entering with an ominous goal.
Everyone all cast their attention to the other side of the wall, as a silhouette seemingly materialized from the shadows of the door way while chills ran down Knuckles and the Wisps' spines, the little aliens collectively whimpering with some clinging each other, and the teenage guardian's guard raised up, his tightened fists rising for an upcoming fight. What were they about to face? More snow and ice monsters? Their leader perhaps? Or even one of the Mischief Five Wisps?
As though emerging from a melting mass of black goo, their mysterious visitor finally made its presence and Knuckles hunched, ready for battle. The figure was an impressively 15 feet tall individual, a large purple pupil-less eye resembled to an orb, perching its lifeless gaze upon the Mobian and smaller aliens, multiple ice protrusions on its head, frontal body and shoulders, with two larger protrusions on its chest, sharp stalamite like claws for hands, and its expressionless face only confirmed the lack of a soul within.
'This must be the leader of all of these monsters, created by the Lunaia Comet Shard,' Knuckles thought to himself, his brows knitted tightly.
Yet his eyes were drawn to the illuminating glow and shock rooted him on the spot: There he saw, was a cyan blue star-shaped crystal, similar to the shards Sonic retrieved from the Pizza Monster and within the giant Whale's stomach. The other half of the second piece! So, why wasn't it within this monster as were the other two?
"Oh ho! Here's our host!" Dodon Pa laughed jovially, prompting Knuckles and the Wisps' expression to collectively melt to bewilderment. Was he serious? "It's so nice to see you again, good sir."
"(Are you crazy?!)" The Drill Wisp fumed, steam emerging through its...uh, invisible ears(?). "(That's the bad leader of all of the monsters!)"
"(Yeah! It's out to freeze us to death!)" The Burst Wisp flailed its arms frantically, while some of the other Wisps all collectively squealed, fear racing out as they flew about attempting to use their Hyper Go Ons to break through the ice.
Unfortunately, not even several drills, bursts, or even ghost abilities could even crack through the ice, only lefting tiny dust of ice descending like conffetti to the ground, despair and dismay mixing up across the aliens' eyes.
"The comet shards' powers are stronger than the Hyper-Go-Ons," Knuckles frowned, concern lacing across his face. This wasn't good.
He returned his gaze back to the Ice Monster Leader, its eyes gleaming with amusement as though enjoying the prisoners' futile attempts of escape. It even leaned its head back with deep, menacing laughter, growls following shortly after through its language neither Knuckles or even Dodon Pa understood.
"I don't know what you're saying, big guy, but you're not gonna get away with this!" Knuckles declared, refusing to back down.
The Star-Beam Wisp shuddered nervously, translating. "(He's saying that our powers are useless as long as he holds the Crystal's power and we wants to freeze us all so he could take over the entire planet.)"
"Really?" Dodon Pa blinked, a curious frown lacing his features. "Well, that doesn't sound very nice at all, especially when freezing us to rule the world."
The echidna promptly ignored Dodon Pa's remark, his attention focused upon the giant monster. "Oh yeah? We'll see about that! We've got friends who'll be here any minute!"
"You mean more like any second?"
Everyone's eyes collectively turned skyward to the ceiling, the cocky tone echoing through the air like an announcer speaking loudly was followed by the shattering of ice raining down, with a blue blur spiraling towards the Icy Leader, the sheer collision forcing the giant creature to stumble back, nearly dropping the Lunina Shard piece. Sonic soon uncurled himself and landed safely with style, a confident grin budding his face.
It didn't stop there as another blur, this time tangerine, joined in and honed in on the lingering Monsters that were alerted by the ambush, squeals of alarm and agony echoing as Sun barreled into them like bowling pins. Star came descending in with the aid of Yacker and the other Wisps, twirling in a grace of a ballerina delivering a devastating swift kick at a Snowman Monster's face, literally rolling its head across the floor before it dissolved out of existence.
"Did you miss me?" Sonic greeted his imprisoned friends, a tease glinting in his eyes.
Knuckles grumbled, making his impatience and critism known. "It's about time you guys got here. That Snowcone over there is causing all kinds of heck."
"Yeah, well, we had an ice block to get through ourselves." Sonic retorted, nonchalantly shrugging.
"Could you can it with the jokes for later?" The echidna rolled his eyes with exasperation.
Unable to help himself, Sonic continued his jest. "What? Can I help it if I like to Snow-Off?"
"Uh, hello?" Sun interjected, concern and annoyance mixing together as he pointed at the door way. "Monsters with Lunina Comet Shard here?"
Sonic and the rest of the group all whirled their heads to his brother's direction as the giant leader soon stood, fury evident in its otherwise lifeless expression, another large horde of Snow and Icicle Monsters marching with menacing auras like an army ready for an invasion. Some wiped out large snow balls, others outstretched their arms, whispers of ice and wind swarming into crystal-hue swords, and cruel chuckles released from the giant Snow Ball Monsters.
"Oh dear...That's a lot of monsters..." Star sweat dropped, worriedly.
"It's okay, they might have the numbers," Sonic grinned, mischief dancing across his features. "But we got the help to turn up the heat!"
As though to emphasize, Sonic exchanged a knowing glance at Flame who returned it with a nod, determination and mischief twinkling in his eyes. Oh, how he was so excited to melt these icicle meanies! The Ice Monsters all blinked at the exchange in confusion, even their Master unable to comprehend what Sonic and Flame were thinking about, question marks comically popping all across their heads.
The blue hedgehog's legs empowered by his willpower, launching him upward as the Burst Wisp soared beside him, the two exchanging a high-five with the bond of trust and friendship chaining their hearts together and Flame fusing into Sonic's body, transforming him once more.
"BURST!"
Flames ignited, Sonic swept across the chambers like a meteor shower raining down causing chaos, the Ice Monsters caught up all flinched with horror, panicking as they attempted to freeze him and the little alien into solid ice. But the ice were no match for fire and teamwork, the hedgehog and Wisp melting their way way through before swooping across their opponents that melted into nothing more than small puddles across the floor, the heat also beginning to effect the Ice Palace itself.
"(WHAT?!)" The Ice Leader bellowed in its own language, fury elitching through its body. How dare that little alien share its power with the blue hedgehog and destroy its entire army?!
The imprisoned Wisps all cheered on their hedgehog hero and brother, chanting Sonic's name while Knuckles grinned, admittedly jealous but enjoying the show. Even Dodon Pa was very impressed by the display.
"Such an incredible teamwork," The mysterious alien murmured, intrigued. "I've never seen anything like it! This is absolutely fascinating!"
No sooner had Sonic return to normal, and the rest of his group stood idily around him, engines roared from above prompting everyone save for the heroes who each held knowing grins etched on their faces to swift their gazes to the hole above, the unmistakable form of the X Tornado looming with lasers raining down. Half of the snow monsters comically squeaked in alarm and turned tail to escape, but were caught in the fire power and oblierated even by a few steps.
By then Flame's gaze briefly exchanged to the prison walls entrapping Knuckles, the rest of his kind and an odd looking alien that looked quite impressed, and, determination and fury ignited far hotter than its Hyper-Go-On, burst once more and with a thunderous impact collided against the wall, melting the ice in a near instant.
"Yeah! Thanks, Flame!" Knuckles grinned, sharing a fist-bump with the little alien who nonchalantly returned it, while the rest of the Wisps chimed happily, their freedom as sweet as ice cream as they embraced the outside world granted to them.
"Nice work!" Sonic praised with a thumbs up, grinning with amusement at the bewildered expressions lacing across the snow monsters' heads.
Silence hung heavily between the heroes and the creatures save for the whistles of winds, a stand off lingering like a showdown of a western fight. Sonic and his friends could see the nervousness etched across the Snow Minions' faces. Their cyan eyes twitched and widened, mouths agape as though they were about to pop off as they hesitated for the agonizing long moment, uncertain how to take on the Mobians and small but powerful Wisps.
The eyes of Sonic, Sun and Knuckles narrowed with evil grins carving up their lips as they waited what the ice monsters would do next. The trio and Star could tell by the way they hesitated their enemies were no longer a match against the power of teamwork.
The Ice Leader, in the meantime, was fuming with fury, impatiently waiting for its minions to destroy the intruders and freeze them as part of its collection to enslave and freeze all of this world. But as the Snow Monsters dropped their weapons and fighting stances, shock and dismay only escalated the anger. The minions all let out high-pitched squeals as they scurried away in all directions, scrambling to escape while tripping over each other in their haste.
"(Retreat! Retreat!)" One of the Snow Monsters wailed, flailing its arms above its head.
Clang! Clang!
Two of the monsters accidentally crashed into the ice walls while attempting to reach the door way, a couple losing consciousness after falling onto their backs, some somehow, against all logical reasoning, flattening themselves half into pancakes and hopping away in daze.
Sonic and his friends all watched the snow monsters' retreat with twinkles and mirth in their eyes, the blue hedgehog, his former clone and Knuckles struggling to keep themselves from bursting out laughing while Star and some of the Wisps' hands all flew over their mouths to hide their giggles, and Flame and the rest of the Wisps all holding their heads back, bursting into laughter at the ridiculous scene that just played out before them.
Even Dodon Pa couldn't hold back his amused chuckled, wiping away a tear. "Good Galaxy above! You are all so magnificent, you even frighten away such terrifying monsters! I am thoroughly impressed!"
"I still don't trust you, but at least you got a sense a humor." Knuckles grinned.
The Ice Leader stood rooted to the spot, staring in absolute anger as his slaves fled for their non-existent lives. It couldn't believe what it was seeing, its eye chortling with contorting with disbelief and frustration.
"(Come back here, you cowards! DON'T LEAVE!)" The Leader swiveled its head with a roar.
"Yo, big Ice Block!" Sonic chuckled, clapping his hands to gain the remaining monster's attention. "If you wanna avoid melting into a kiddie pool, how about ya' hand over that Lunina Comet Shard so we can turn this world back to the way it was and we call it a truce?"
Denial and fury igniting within once more, the Ice Leader tightened its grip on the crystal, marching forward with a thunderous step rocking the whole palace. "(You insolent little fools! You may have taken the half of the planet's warmth from our arch enemies of the blazing sun, but you will never leave alive!)"
"(He's definitely not happy...)" One of the Drill Wisps hovered by, concern lacing its eyes.
"You think?" Sun raised an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping in his tone like a fancet.
"Look, this planet already has civilians who wanna just go about their lives, you only came to existence alongside the seaweed monsters who almost killed one of my friends, and now you kidnapped my older brother and our other friends and even this guy," Sonic chided, his quills bristling almost instantly, his calm demeanor and humor vanishing as well. "You have no right to take over."
Fury bellowed alongside disgust within the Ice Leader, raising its clutched hand high above with the crystal glowing, its power forcefully called upon, trickling down along the arm and into its lifeless chest. "(There is no right or wrong, boy. Only dominance and power! You will all be destroyed!)"
Before anyone could stop it, the monster soon thrust the Lunina Comet Shard into its chest, soon illuminating the entire room with gasps escaping Sonic and his friends, even Dodon Pa not expecting such action. Tremors echoed and the group collectively cried out, the Mobians and the mysterious non-Wisp frantically waving their arms to keep their balance and the Wisps panicking, the Drill Wisp and Rocket Wisp hugging each other, shaking like rattles.
The Ice Leader's body soon began emitting smoke, and then growing upward, the sickening cracks of its limbs stretching out in its otherwise flesh-less organs so nauseating everyone couldn't help but wonder how it was possible. But the fear and realization washing over their minds overshadowed their confusion. The immense power of the Lunina Comet beyond comprehension was so terrifying, all legends of its innocence and peace now becoming doubtful. But for Sonic, horror mounted his face as the evil monster soon neared the ceiling, shattering it with debris raining dangerously close to them.
"RUN!" Sonic shouted, immediately scooping up Yacker and a handful of Wisps, darting back upward with Sun equally doing the same with Star, close behind his brother.
Knuckles, with hesitation lingering yet the full scale of the situation overlapping his suspicion, heaved Dodon Pa while ignoring his startled and curious yelp, hurriedly scampering behind his close friends.
Sonic's feet barely touched the ground and walls as he parrelled his way up, some of the Wisps offering him freedom by releasing themselves from his protective embrace, soaring with trails of a rainbow colliding with his blue blur, his shoes gripping against the slippery surface with beads of sweat running along with anxiety and anticipation. Behind him, Sun's gripping hook anchored to the very edge of the hole whence they came, his free hand gripping the handle while his other arm held Star firmly, the female hedgehog chaining her arms around his shoulder to ensure she wouldn't fall off.
"Sonic!"
The sound of Tails' voice calling from above was like a soothing lullaby, all heads whiveling at the X Tornado descending closer to the collapsing castle's structure, a sight bestowing relief in their chests. Energized with determination and strength building in their legs, Sonic, Knuckles and Sun all launched themselves with the Wisps' Hyper-Go-Ons adding a boost, their protective shields levitating them to the plane's wings just as the Ice Palace crumbled, leaving behind nothing but broken blocks in its place.
The trio landed safely with a soft clangs, as Tails maneuvered the X Tornado in a safer distance, Amy seated behind him with relief lacing her features upon Sonic and the rest of their friends finally safe and sound.
But the sight before them was nothing but a theatre of horror: the mist soon dissipated, the silhouettee clearing to the form of the Ice Leader, except now it was at the height of 78 feet, its body having turned to a shade of a darker midnight purple gleaming under the sunlight's rays, glints shone in its lifeless eye, the hue and illumination of the Lunina Comet Shard in cast by the chest place. The monster withdrew its head with manical laughter, Sonic and his friends all collectively horrified, hearts dropping and beating rapidly, some paling with their throats threatening to close and block out air.
"Holy Chaos!" Sonic exclaimed, his breath caught in his throat.
Horror mounted on his face, the sheer power of the Lunina Comet Shard, the corruption it beheld of the creatures they inadvertently created, memories flooding like a tsunami swallowing everything in its path: The transformations of planets were only a small scale of the comet's power, bringing these monsters to life, granting intelligence and purity of evil, the portals led back to his home planet and potentially Planet Wisp...
The harm it put their giant whale friend, the agony of twisting its stomachs and body as though time and space were distorted in a pocket dimension...
Oh, Chaos! Knuckles was right! And so was Star!
"The Lunina Comet isn't peaceful at all," The blue hedgehog struggled to keep himself from screaming in guilt and frustration. "It's part of...of Cormain...!"
"LOOK OUT, TAILS!" Amy screeched, frantically pointing below.
Tails yelped as the Icy Leader extended its arms, sharp icicles suddenly growing on its frozen limbs, a chill crawling down everyone's spines with the shards shooting out like missiles. The two-tailed fox urgently told his friends to hand on, pulling hard on the throttles, the X-Tornado's engines igniting with the extra boost while narrowly evading the attack, but the icicles soared all across the once crystal blue sky above, the mists evoloping everything above in a dull, cloudy blanket of ice, blocking out the sunlight's warm fingers.
It didn't stop there, the ocean below close to the ice's edge soon dropped in temperature, freezing the water further and frightened sea animals, horror lacing their faces, swam away as quickly as their fins could carry them but were all caught in the Icy Leader's wrath, frozen and immobile. The Mobians, Wisps and even Dodon Pa collectively gasped with horror and dismay.
"Nooooo!" Sonic screamed, desperately reaching out in spite realizing it was too late to help the sea life to escape.
NO! No, it can't be like this! How could all this go horribly wrong?! All the marine life...the giant whale...The Icy Leader is even worse than the Pizza Monster!
"(What do we do?!)" Bomb screeched, pressing two tentacles against his face.
"(We have to stop that monster and get that shard back!)" Yacker's eye narrowed, determination twinkling deep within. "(It's the only way to save Aquarium Park and turn everything back to normal!)"
"You're right, Yacker! The monster is feeding off the negative energy from the Lunina Comet Shard! It's like the Chaos Emeralds!" Tails nodded, gritting his teeth.
Knowing what needs to be done as with Sweet Mountain and their Whale friend, Sonic forced back his guilt, his eyes knitted tightly with concentration and his fist tightened so hard it nearly bled at the pressure. They came this far to save this planet, he wasn't about to give up! He won't give up, he'll never give up!
"Right!" Sonic stood tall, determination and courage energizing him like a boost of power pressuring his entire body, fully unaware of the two shards in his hammerspace illuminating an etheral glow, the power flowing into his body and straight into his pure heart. "Alright, guys! Let's do it to it!"
"YEAH!" His friends echoed.
"Dear me, that icy fellow is such a monster," Dodon Pa murmured, a concerned frown elitching his face. While he had been fully aware of the Icy Leader's rudeness by imprisoning him and all of those cute critters, but to actually take away life from the inhabits and freeze them?
Why, it was the most despicable thing he's ever seen!
The Icy Leader's manical laughter filled the fridget air once more, the winds increasing its strength that everyone outside the X Tornado all collectively yelped, the Mobians immediately gripping the wings while Sonic and Knuckles caught a few Wisps with their free hands, saving them from being blown away, straining to pull them to their chests as their knuckles were turning white despite wearing gloves.
"Oh, that's so cold! How 'bout showing some manners?" Sonic hissed sarcastically.
"Will you please quit the ice jokes, Sonic!?" Sun shouted, irritated. "There's a monster with a Lunina Comet Shard there!"
"And with an army too!" Knuckles added.
Everyone all gazed at the echidna's direction, eyes widening as wide as saucers, the Icy Leader raising its arms as more Snowball and Icicle Monsters materialized from the frozen terrian below, a couple even forming into humanoid shapes, their crystallized structures resembling to snow fairies in spite of the lack of wings, as though they were snow sculptures brought to life...before they started to move their arms and legs in graces of fine dancers as though they were performing a ballie...?
"Huh?/(Huh?)" The group all sweat dropped, incredulously. What...was going on now?
Even the Snowball and Icicle Monsters remained still on the spot, sweat dropping with perplex, dumbstruck with mouths hanging open so comically they nearly touched the ground, and their creator was unable to believe what it was seeing. This wasn't supposed to happen! His army was supposed to be ice cold killers to freeze their warm enemies, and claim this world as their own! Not do the Nutcracker Suite!
"...This is the weirdest thing I've ever seen." Amy finally managed to say after the awkward silence hung for a good few minutes.
"Let's get 'em while they're distracted, if we don't do something now, Aquarium Park is history!" Sonic declared, deciding now was the good time to strike.
With collective agreement, the heroes swooped in, Tails opening fire lasers at the unsuspected monsters who all saw too late, flinching with horror mounting their expressions. Many comically scampered out of the way with high-pitched squeals, yet those who ended up tripping over their own legs or blindly racing in circles all soon disintegrated upon being hit, including the dancing monsters who bowed as though addressing to the audience at the end of a show.
Sonic and Flame both launched themselves off the plane, sky-bombing below with the former extending his arms and legs, his Sonic-Eagle slowing his descent while the Icicle Monsters saw him, evil glints twinkling in their eyes. They blew chilling winds to freeze the hedgehog, but Sonic smirked, confidence etched across his face with a simulated nod with the Burst Wisp who immediately fused with the hero of Mobius, their connection empowering him once more.
"BURST!"
Ignited in flames, Sonic swarmed across the frozen land, easily melting the winds with heat against the cold. The Icicle Monster's eyes widened, realization dawning that their powers were no match against the combination of Sonic the Hedgehog and Flame the Wisp. Perhaps it's time for them to make a retreat...
"(GET THEM!)" The Icy Leader roared, refusing to allow the mortals to destroy its regime.
The Icicle Monsters did as they were told, yet it was clear they were on the losing end of the battle and their attempts to freeze the Mobians and Wisps proved futile. Their shrieks cut short as Sonic burst through them, melting the monsters into water, his angle diverting to the left, his fiery form and legendary speed weaving in and out of the chilling winds and snow ball shots fired at him. With his nimble movements and expert timing, Sonic managed to dodge each attack while dealing with destructive clashes of his own, oblierating the monsters at each strike.
He and the Burst Wisp weren't alone, as Knuckles swooped him, his quills granting him the ability to glide even in the unstable winds. A Drill Wisp swooped in beside him, the two exchanging silent agreement while, like Sonic and Flame, became one themselves, the echidna reshaping into a drilling form to strike at each attack.
"DRILL!"
With destructive strength rivaling Sonic's speed yet as nimble as a reflex boxer, Knuckles struck each monster who all had no time to dodge and the Snow Monsters all bursting into piles of soft power, briefly sparkling in their demise.
He didn't stop there, as he and Sonic, both returning to their true forms and the Wisps taking breathers, struck at the incoming army. Sonic, his reflex as swift and delicate as an athlete that he is, swiped with a powerful roundhouse kick, a shattering of the icicle monster's face ringing in the air as it became thing more than a pile of shards, followed by punches and Spin Dashes across the ice, Sun soon quickly joining in with a battle cry. He copied his brother's movements, curling up into a sphere as he barrelled his way across the fields.
The monsters attempted to freeze the Mobians, but Flame and the Drill Wisp swooped in, their courage strengthened by the bonds they and their kind shared with Sonic and all of his friends, refusing to allow these ice monsters to accomplish their evil goals. The two small aliens simultaneously illuminated by their powers, fire and drill striking with a shock-wave spreading, the creatures letting out horrified shrieks before melting and dissipating to their end. This distraction allowed Sun to crash into several more monsters who flinched, the impact causing them to crash into one another like bowling pins, their numbers finally decreasing.
High above the increasing powerful winds, the gusts crashing against the X Tornado as Tails struggled to maintain his plane's balance, opening fire lasers at many snow monsters below, their movements too sluggish to escape. Amy, Star, Dodon Pa and the remaining Wisps all held on tightly, hearts beating collectively like a set of drums, concern and panic gripping at the two hedgehogs and little aliens.
The fight raged on, Sonic and his friends maintaining their balance while planting their feet on the slippery surface, the numerous ice monsters decreasing until only the giant leader remained, fury ignited in the extreme sub-zero chest. This will not stand! No mortal shall EVER get their hands on its crystal and restore this world to its original state!
"Alright, big guy! It's just you and us, now!" Sonic declared. "You can't beat us!"
"(YOU THINK THIS IS OVER...)" The Icy Leader's tone dripped as freezing vemon, its language still foriegn to the Mobians, until... "BUT I...AM SUPREME!"
Everyone collectively gasped, shock rooting them in their place. Did that thing just...speak in their native language just now?! How did it shift from gibberish only the Wisps could understand moments ago to English? This defied all logical reasoning!
"Can somebody please explain to me how that overgrown snow cone just talk?" Sun asked, bewildered.
Cogs spun rapidly in the Mobians' minds, but neither had the time to answer as the giant ice monster withdrew back, arms raised with the illumination of the Lunina Shard drawn to life while the ground simultaneously began shaking like a 4.5 Earthquake. Sonic, Sun and Knuckles all cried out in alarm, struggling to hold their balance while the Wisps darted their gazes wondering what was happening, until the blue hedgehog's emerald eyes shifted downward, his heart stopping with horror filling his expression:
The ground began cracking beneath their feet and an abyss of water beginning to gush up, the crashes of waves freezing into solid pillars of sharp stalamites, gleaming to impale the heroes in their path!
"LOOK OUT!" Sonic shouted, snatching Sun and Knuckles wrists while leaping away, the Wisps darting out of the newly created pillars seconds before they shot upward.
More began emerging from the ground, the heroes forced to dodge, hearts hammering like crazy while repeating their attempts of escape in a reversed role of an Whack-A-Mole game, the Mobians yelping as the ice nearly licked at their heels, scraping their quills and the shock-waves making it impossible to keep their balance.
Satisfaction upon the heroes' futile attempts of escaping its wrath and defeating it, the Icy Leader extended its palm, a large spike of pillars emerging before being launched like missiles, soaring across towards Sonic's group who all gasped in horror. Fortunately aid came as Tails launched more missiles of his own, shattering the shards before they could reach half way to his brothers and friends.
"Thanks, Tails!" Sonic waved, relief washing over him.
The Icy Leader snarled, its attention drawn to the X Tornado. It will not allow those meddling fools get away with this!
"Guys, head back to the X Tornado!" The cobalt teen whirled to his ground companions. "I'll take care of the rest!"
"Sonic, that's crazy!" Sun protested, shock rooting him, Knuckles and the Wisps on the spot.
"We're not gonna let you beat this thing all by yourself!" Knuckles added.
Sonic firmly shook his head, his eyes leaving no room for arguments. "Trust me, it's the only way to beat this thing!"
His best friends' expressions all held expressions of concern, their faces speaking more than any words could: Neither wanted to leave Sonic in this battle alone, all acknowledging the Icy Leader's might even the single power of the Hyper-Go-Ons fail to do. How can they possibly leave their hedgehog leader?
Without any further words spoken, yet his eyes sparking with reassurance, a silent promise he will be alright, Sonic bolted to the giant icicle monster, his friends' protests all lost in the speed of sound, his feet barely touching the ice, the aderanline coursing through his veins like a boost of electricity recharging a deceased battery keeping Sonic from falling to exhaustion threatening to weigh his muscles. He darted away from each incoming icicles launched at him, the thunderous impact rocking the ground failing to daunt him.
The Icy Leader was relentless, unfazed by Sonic's approach before inhaling the chilling air, then unleashing powerful hurricane gusts enough even to shatter the stalamites into pieces and Sonic caught in the winds, raising his arms but was unable to keep himself from being blown away with the impact slightly frosting his fur, leaving him vulnerable for the monster's next attack.
But before it could launch more icicles no doubt would fatally wound the hedgehog, the ice began rocking like an Earthquake, pausing the monster's attack as it tried to keep its balance, comically wobbling on one leg and flailing and spinning its arms. As Sonic who began panicking as he was about to hit the ground, and his friends all gazed, all eyes widened collectively as the ice broke apart, water gushing like a gyser as a monstrous sized figure emerged.
"It's you!" Sonic cried out, sweat dropping nervously despite relief washing over him. Wait, was the big guy...Oh, sweet, Chaos! Not again!
Fortunately, The hero of Mobius' fears were put to rest as the giant Whale instead dove its head in a position flattened enough for Sonic to awkwardly land, nearly losing his grip on the massive creature's wet skin with a yelp before crawling to the more safer part of the back. The cobalt teen heaved a relieved sigh, a smile playing on his lips.
It briefly crashed back into the ocean, whacking a large ice boulder with a powerful fin-kick, the impact crashing into the giant ice monster's chest as it roared with agony, colliding against the ground with cracks yet its body freezing the water, the power of the Lunina Comet Shard granting it protection from melting in the water's heat. The giant Whale in the meantime quickly positioning its fins and tail to keep itself afloat.
"Phew! Thanks for rescuing me, ol' pal," Sonic chuckled, a sweat drop trickling down his head with nervousness. "But maybe next time try not to swallow me again, 'kay? No offense, but I really don't wanna be sea food."
The whale likewise sweat dropped itself, slowly nodding while careful not to cause its young friend to fall off. It really needed to come up with better ways to help Sonic the Hedgehog, mentally noting to avoid in swallowing him whole again for the foreseeable future.
Sonic nodded, before his gaze swiveled to the towering wall, he and the Whale exchanging nods, taking this as an opportunity to strike. He crouched down as he held on for dear life, his giant friend practically skiing its way towards the wall, Sonic squeezed his eyes shut shuddering upon the thunderous impact when the Whale head-butted into the ice wall, large blocks crashing into the ocean below.
"WHAT?!" The Icy Leader gaped with horror. Where in every ice cold winds did that massive whale come from?!
"Now that I can stay warm and dry, that Snow-Head is washed up!" Sonic grunted, waiting as he held on.
The giant Whale maneuvered in angles, darting from each rising ice forms with the frost not even flinching, the crushing waves splashing and spraying everywhere while Sonic made a daring leap, bashing at each ice block far too close to his friend with multiple Homing Attacks and axe-kicks. Seeing their approach, Sonic seized the opportunity before flipping in a grace of an athele adventurer, launching himself upward, colliding each kicks and punches at emitting ice shards along the giant's body.
He even planted his sneakers against them as platforms to increase his climb, shattering others nearly impaling him, Sonic's strong will refusing to die before catapaulting himself upward to the monster's face, suddenly unleashing flurries of axe-kicks and Homing Attacks with the monster left unable to block the attacks.
The Icy Leader roared with the sheer pain, cracks carving along its face close to its mouth and eyes while Sonic flipped backwards for safety, the giant whale repositioning itself to turn around, extending its tail for his friend to land. The blue hedgehog's feet planted firmly against the fin, the two exchanging a nod as it then flipped him skyward, Sonic pressurizing his legs as hard as he could, his determined gaze never leaving the monster.
The ice creature rested a hand to its face, slowly removing it while making eye contact with the hero of Mobius, refusing to allow him or his friends to emerge victorious. It will destroy Sonic and all he cherishes! No matter what it takes!
"YOU CANNOT DEFEAT ME!" It extended its arm, emitting another shard to impale the hedgehog.
But Sonic, ever the resilient hero, Homing Attacks straight through and shattering the ice until he soon found himself nearing the hand, once more ignoring the bitter chills. For a split second as though struck by lightning jolts, Sonic's eyes widened wide to the size of plates with a gasp, an image like a vivid dream materializing in his mind's eye:
He saw himself land on the giant monster's hand, his fingers gripping against the larger cold claws with another hand looming to grab him, his heart racing wildly with fear and horror threatening to choke him, pounding in his ears like drums...
'Uh oh...!' Sonic thought, realization over his upcoming mistake hitting him like a brick wall crashing on top of him. Okay, maaaaaybe he miscalculated this strategy...
"SONIC!" The cries of all of his friends and family echoed, barely breaking through the winds whistling its might as though a tornado was about to materialize.
The Star-Beam Wisp's eyes nearly burst with horror, realizing Sonic's life may be coming to an end. Determination soon surged through its chest, refusing to allow the hedgehog to die or let the Icy Leader claim this world as its own. Surging with energy, the little star-shaped alien flew quickly, as Sonic about to land on the hand of the monster who laughed, triumpthingly reaching to grab the hedgehog.
Just as Sonic could feel the wave of panic threatening to engulf him, the high-pitched chime, soothing as a lullaby sung by a mother's loving song, had him whirl his head over his shoulder with little time to gasp when the Star-Beam Wisp immediately bonded with him, the familiar burst of energy coursing through into his benevolent heart. Realizing what it intended on doing and using this to their advantage, Sonic concentrated, warmth reminding him of a comforting fireplace in the bitter cold winter's night, relaxation bringing safety like a soft blanket.
"WISH: GHOST!"
Morphing once again thanks to the Star-Beam's aid, Sonic transformed into his Ghost form once again, gliding his way from the giant's fingers, easily phasing through the icicles emitting from its body and, horror mounting over the Icy Leader's face, fear spreading through its heartless body with a warmth hotter than the sunlight, was helpless to stop the duo from bursting their way into its chest, a sudden heat from the swap from Ghost to Burst with an orange-red hue illuminating, spreading instantly across its like an overheated kettle.
The heat was unbearable, the Icy leader unleashing a roar of agony as it spread, desperate to make it stop but the power of the Hyper-Go-On fused with a mere Mobian hedgehog was stronger than the Lunina Comet Shard, leaving the monster vulnerable to its increasing demise.
"(NO! NO! THIS CANNOT...BE! NOOOOOOO!)"
Unable to stop Sonic and the Star-Beam Wisp, the Icy Leader could only claw at its chest attempting to dig them out, but its fingers soon melted upon contact with the heat. Horror, dismay and distraught coursed through, it could only roar with ultimate defeat as it soon melted away like a snowman under the sunlight or close to the fireplace, bursting into sparkling particles and leaving behind only Sonic and the Star-Beam Wisp, the former grasping the Lunina Shard, its warmth pulsing against his palm.
"Ha!" A victorious grin spread across Sonic's face, the crystal's power creeping through his arm yet he, acting on instinct, quickly repelled against it. He certainly didn't want to become corrupted by the Lunina Comet's shards.
The Mobians and Wisps all cheered on, the little aliens' happiness chimed through the bitter chill with the Icy Leader now gone for good! Even Dodon Pa was quite impressed by the epic teamwork Sonic and the Star-Beam Wisp displayed. Quite a combination between the blue hedgehog and his allies, he thought. Perhaps they are whom he sought out from the very beginning...
Very interesting young creatures indeed.
The relief didn't end there, all eyes soon drawn by the glimmer below them all as Sonic and his Wisp companion still hovered, the ice soon began disappearing and melt, the frozen terrian no longer ensnaring the world, but water and sea life soon revived, waves lapsing across the surface, the world below swimming in their natural habitat once again, confusion lacing the sea creatures without any explanation of the events occurred, and the golden fingers finally breaking through the dark blanket of clouds above, and the blue sky brought back once more, like a canvas' painting given a fixing coat.
"Alright!" Sonic cheered happily, exchanging a high-five with the Star-Beam Wisp.
Only for horror to instantly etch on his face with a gasp escaping him, realizing he was still in mid-air. Above the water. With no surface to land on. Uh oh...Sonic yelped as gravity soon made its return, falling towards the ocean below while he screamed frantically with cries for help.
"Sonic!" Tails yelped, struggling to maneuver the X Tornado to reach his big brother.
Even Yacker and the Wisps all hurriedly exchanged glances, soaring downward faster than the speed of sound, illuminating their powers in hopes of saving their hedgehog friend, trails of colours shone and blending with the sunlight creating a beautiful picturesque scene of a rainbow road.
"Next time I wanna ask for the Hyper-Go-On, I'm gonna land on hard ground first before grabbing the comet's shards!" Sonic chasisted himself, before his heart froze with his eyes shrinking at the approaching, wet, shivering, and watery grave opening its maw as though it were awaiting for him for its meal.
Panicking, Sonic was about to quickly activate his Sea Mask when alien squeals reached his ears, swiveling his head upward just as Yacker and all of the Wisps all encircled him with another protective shield, ceasing his fall as they all hovered safely.
Relief washed over him as he happily beamed. "Yacker! Guys!"
"(Are you okay, Sonic?)" Yacker hovered over, inches close to his hedgehog best friend's face, concern lacing his adorable eye.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for the safe!" Sonic grinned, exchanging his gratitude with a thumbs up and wink.
The Wisps all reciprocated the cheerful expressions for a familiar moan to reach his ears, a musical drone like a ochestera performing its ballat across an outdoor stage he's heard quite a few times. Sonic smiled, the sight of his other, sea creature friend catching his eye as it emerged once more.
"(HOLY HYPER GO ON! WHAT IS THAT?!)" Boom' jaw comically dropped low as though it were about to snap off from his face.
"(Whoa! That is one big...whatever it is!)" The Star-Beam Wisp gaped, bewildered.
"(It's okay, he's a friend Sonic helped the last time he was here.)" The Hammer Wisp assured nonchalantly.
The younger Wisps all exchanged perplexed glances, each gazing at Sonic and Yacker who nodded, confirming the Hammer Wisp's words.
Seeing the truth and reassurance in their hero and big brother's eyes put them at ease, knowing that Sonic and Yacker were right. With a collective nod, they all gently descended down before dismissing their shield, prompting Sonic to softly drop, his feet planting on the giant whale's back.
"Couldn't have done it without you, big guy!" Sonic happily praised with a wink and a thumbs up.
The whale reciprotated his happiness with a wink of its own. Relief washed over its soothing heart, far more warm and comforting than the waters of its home world could ever provide, the friendship shared between it and Sonic the Hedgehog only growing more unbreakable.
Tails, Amy, Sun, Star, Knuckles, all of the other Wisps with the younger generation stunned upon the sight of the giant whale, and Dodon Pa, who was bewildered by the creature's enormous size, all gaped equally with relief and awe at the display before them. Thank goodnes, Sonic was safe and sound, the planet was finally back to its original ocean glory.
All of the Lunia Comet affects of Aquarium Park were now at least gone, restoring the world once more.
Everyone collectively smiled happily, cheers ringing with the Wisps flipping about in a chorus of children, the rays of victory and joy dancing the world. Sonic was okay! Aquarium Park was back to normal! They now had the second full piece of the Lunina Comet Shard!
"Phew! Thanks for rescuing me, guys," Sonic grinned, laughing when the Wisps all happily hugged him, their arms cuddling his face and arms as though he were a giant stuffed toy with his gaze returning to the giant whale. "See? I told ya' your world would be back to normal, ol' pal."
The giant Whale reciprocated the expression, satisfied that its young Mobian and Wisp friends were safe, the bonds they shared as unbreakable as ever.
Chuckling at his friend's response, Sonic playfully paused the scene while sauntering his gaze to the readers/viewers breaking the fourth wall. "And at least whoever writes these stories didn't have me get eaten again. The whole being lunch thing is getting old too."
"Sonic!"
Softly gasping at the sweet, melodic, and gentle cry for his attention, a voice as beautiful as a mother's lullaby, Sonic whipped his head skyward only for his eyes to widen as Amy crazily leapt from the X Tornado while ignoring everyone else's protests. A bright, wide smile spread her face, laughter bubbling with pure happiness that would put even the most clearest day to shame.
"Whoa, Amy!" Sonic yelped, quickly standing before dashing across the perplexed Whale's back, the former's arms spread, his feet dancing along the wet back, his sneakers nearly slipping at the unbalanced surface as though he was doing a comical tap dance. "I gotcha, I gotcha, I gotcha!"
With perfect practiced ease of experience, Sonic's arms swiftly caught his girlfriend without issue and by miracle, without falling over, his grip securing her shoulders and gently under her knees as he crouched to maintain his balance.
Amy released an "Omph!" before happily coiling her arms around her boyfriend's shoulders, nuzzling her face against his. Normally Sonic would've winced with discomfort over the affection, yet the months of previous adventures made him grow more mature and appreciative of how precious life truly is. Love and warmth coursing through his heart no other can explain, Sonic gently nuzzled his girlfriend in return, a bond unbreakable and strong.
"Oh, Sonic! You did it!" Amy giggled, joy nipping at her cheeks.
"Aw, I didn't do it by myself, Ames," Sonic grinned, gently planting a peck on his girlfriend's cheek with a little heart popping up at the contact. "I couldn't have done it without all of you."
His words were full of warmth and she wrapped them around herself like a blanket, shielding her from the cold despite the weather finally regaining its warm coat. A loving sigh escaped from Amy's lips as she reciprocated the gesture on his cheek.
"(Awwwwwwwwwwwww!)" All of the girl Wisps, and high above from the X Tornado, Star all cooed at the sweet scene.
"(Eeeeeewwwwww!) The rest of the boy Wisps sans Yacker groaned, cringing. Yuck! Kissing is so gross!
Even the giant Whale's expression morphed to warmth, a smile budding its lips at Sonic and Amy's love like a proud parent to their growing son or daughter finding a bright future.
Finally things were starting to look up once again.
Relief washed all across Sonic and his friends when they saw the Blue Typhoon still intact, thankfully not sinking due to the automatic floating system Tails installed, all now perched on the deck outside half and hour later, reunions dancing about with the group of heroes and all of the newly freed and saved Wisps, their flipping and flying in a symphony of love and joy.
The giant Whale had been kind enough to carry Sonic and Amy back to the ship, the ride being smooth and calming for the young couple, now was facing its friends. Sadness lingered in everyone's chests, mixing with relief. Yet they knew it was time to move on.
"Well, big guy, it's time for us to get going," Sonic reached out, his gloved hand gently rubbing his giant friend's wet, smooth face. "I'm gonna miss you."
The giant Guardian's eyes bore down on the blue hedgehog with soft, gentle eyes and matching warm smile, Sonic's reflection easily seen whole like a mirror. He will certainly miss the teenager as well, having enjoyed Sonic and his friends' company. A melodic like moan hummed once more, gratitude expressing like no words could ever muster for everything the Mobians and Wisps had done in saving its home and restoring it to its former glory.
Thoughts cogging his clever mind, an idea soon popped in Tails' head with his face liting up brighter than sunlight. "Maybe we can come back to visit next time. Now that we all have Sea Masks and we can travel on the Blue Typhoon, we can come back to any planet whenever we want to."
"That sounds like fun!" Cream bounced on her heels excitedly, gazing downward at her beloved Chao. "Don't you think so?"
"Chao!" Cheese chimed, waving his arms with equal excitement.
"I vote for a vacation trip once everything is back to normal!" Amy's happy voice sang through the air as she raised both arms.
"Just as long we don't through the trouble of the whale eating us for breakfast, lunch or dinner." Sun quietly murmured under his breath, careful in making sure it wasn't audiable.
"(Can we come back to visit too?)" Ghostly asked, hopefully, huddling by with Cutie, Speed, Bomb, Lily, and the rest of the Wisps save for Yacker who giggled, shaking his head while shrugging. Oh, what was he going to do with all of his brothers and sisters?
"Of course you can! As soon as this adventure's over, we're gonna make up for lost time in having some fun and spending time together, whether it's back home on Mobius, your home, Sweet Mountain or even this place," Sonic winked with a smirk pinching at his cheeks, his eyes returning to the giant whale moments later. "Whaddya say, buddy? Would it be alright if we can come back?"
The giant whale couldn't stop the wide, beaming smile that quickly stretched his lips as it nodded estatically. It sounded like a wonderful idea! Oh, how it couldn't wait for his young friends to return for their next, more peaceful visit. Against all sense and logic, it lifted its body upward close to the ship without even leaning against the vessel, opening its massive maw so wide that Sonic and his friends all collectively yelped, taking a few steps back with nervousness etching their expressions.
"Uh...What is it doing?" Knuckles raised an eyebrow, cringing at the tremor of fear in his voice.
'He's not gonna eat us straight again, is he?' Sonic thought, a gasp escaping his lips and his pupils shrinking in terror as the giant tongue soon expanded out of the mouth...right as it soon slid all across his body, and he failed to prevent himself from laughing once it became clear his friend was merely just giving him a grateful 'whale-kiss', saliva dribbling across his body. "W-whoa, hey! Hahahahaha! C-cut it out! That tickles!"
All the girls giggled at the interation, while the guys all chuckled. To think that Sonic the Hedgehog who feared water due to his inability to swim, or even stay afloat, had become friends with a giant sea mammal in, well, an odd situation. It was a miracle he even survived being inside the whale and lived to tell the tale. Three times, in fact!
"We hope to see you again soon." Tails beamed, he, Yacker, Amy, Cream and Cheese, Cutie, Jade, and Speed all gently patting the whale's muzzle, a cooing moan responding to their warm touch.
It would certainly miss its new friends, but knowing they would be back someday for a more casual visit formed a smile across its face. With a final nod and fond goodbyes, the whale Guardian sank back beneath the sea, only to re-emerge in a safe distance with a thunderous, mighty leap miles away, water spraying under the sunlight, creating a majestic picturestic display of sparkles, and water sprouting out of its blowhole with multiple colours forming into a rainbow arching beyond.
At this beautiful sight had everyone's widen with amazement, warmth stirring within their chests as they absorbed this into their memories.
"Whoa! Now that's what I call a beautiful view!" Sonic gaped, a beaming smile claiming his features.
"Wow! It's gorgeus!" Amy gushed, her eyes sparkling.
"Mr. Whale made a very pretty rainbow!" Cream exclaimed, her hands clasped together.
Sun grinned, crossing his arms against his chest. "Now this is really cool. I wish we had a camera to record this view."
*Flash!*
"Huh?" Blinking in confusion, Sun's gaze swiveled to Star who surprisingly held a small retangular device to her face. When did she had the time to pack a camera?
At her own boyfriend's silent question, the lavender hedgehog giggled. "I packed this just before we left Mobius. I even took pictures of Sweet Mountain after it was returned to normal."
"You do realize this isn't a vacation, right?" The former Sonic Clone raised an eyebrow, teasingly.
"I know, but a memory can be recorded both on devices and in our minds and hearts," Star winked. "That's what my father always told me."
As the whale waved for the final time towards its Mobian and Wisp friends who all happily reciprocated, it splashed back into its home beneath the sea, waves lapsing while gently rocking the Blue Typhoon. Sonic and his friends continued to gaze where their friend vanished, relief washing all over their chests.
Even Dodon Pa, having introduced himself earlier and needing a ride(much to Knuckles' dismay), was unable to sweep away the relief and joy of this grand adventure. It wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but to see these young otherworldly travelers embark on such a dangerous quest, to save this world from devastation, needless to say he was more than pleased.
He simply couldn't wait to see more of what this blue hedgehog and all of his friends were capable of.
Unbeknownst to the heroes and their allies, hovering above undectectly, awe and fascination rooted Whacker in the spot. He's never seen such skill with not only Sonic the Hero of Wisps, but all of his other Mobian friends.
"This is so totaaaallly cool! Not only Sonic and Tails are awesome, but those guys are great too! Ooh, maybe I can convince Spirit we keep those other Mobian guys if they don't get the other Falling Star pieces too!" The former Hammer Wisp wrinlged his tentacles excitedly, a chuckle bubbling in his chest. Oh, this just keeps getting more and more exciting!
With thoughts planned of extending their plot in 'convincing' Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails and now the rest of their friends to stay with the Wisps in their world forever, to never leave and never let them go, Whacker teleported back to report to the rest of the Mischief Five.
Two worlds were now returned to their original states, yet the adventure across the Galaxy continued onward.
A/N: I deeply apologize once more for the delay (and spelling mistakes, *Sweat drops sheepishly), but we have finally reached the end of the Aquarium Park Arc and now can move onward to the next part of the heroes' adventures!
Oh, and sorry that the battle against the Icy Leader wasn't as great as I had hoped. *Sweat drops sheepishly* I still suck at battle scenes, even though I tried very hard in writing them.
The next chapter or so won't lead to the next previous planet straight away, but a few other stops as, well, call it a light-hearted respite, or a subplot if you wil. *Sweat drops sheepishly*
Also like to once again thank one of my awesome friends TU4QUI53T4IAN6L3 for the ideas for the previous chapters and for the next main world we'll be visiting in the future! Not sure when I'll be updating this again, but I'll do my best to get to it asap, and also clear things up with Team Dark back in Holoska.
See you later!