Wings of Fire 1/2

Note: This is my favorite part of the World Shattered Saga.

(Theme song -Kim Possible by Disney Channel on YouTube)

(Abigail's POV)

It's been a few days since we found the Gaia Keys from Efrika & Spagonia. The other day, we had gotten a call from the Downunda Freedom Fighters about a weird new Freedom Fighter group calling themselves the Guardians of Freedom. A team of five Mobian girls with wings & could control the elements. They were saying that they had saved them from an ambush set up by theDownunda Dark Egg Legion*

Note: You'll see what happened in Chapter 12 of Guardians of Freedom.

Anyway, today, me, Huck, Sonic, Sally, Cream, Cheese, Antoine, & Big were in Yurashia. We had just been attacked the a Silver Sonic, who had taken Big hostage. We were currently traveling down Dragon Road. Sonic running, me on a hoverboard, Huck flying next to me, & Cream was flying while carrying Sally & Antoine, who were battling Badniks. Cheese was flying next to her*

Big: Ow! Ow! Ow!

Sonic: Hold on, buddy! We're coming!

Abigail: Hang in there!

Huckleberry: Chao-Chao!

Sonic hit the Silver Sonic with a spin dash & I sliced at it's hand with my sword, making it let go of Big*

Sonic: Are you hurt?

Big: Not bad.

Just then, Silver Sonic came at us with it's own Spin Dash, but we managed to dodge. Meanwhile, Cream was getting tired*

Cream: I'm sorry, Miss Sally! I've got to land!

Sally: You're doing great, Cream! Just a little farther!

She & Antoine sliced at a rocket that came towards them*

Antoine: Zis is getting out of control!

Sally: It wouldn't be if Ken and Dulcy were here with their team! Where are they!?

Suddenly, Silver Sonic was hit by a bolt of lightning & a stream of fire. Sonic & I covered our eyes as Monkey Khan came flying down on his cloud with a tall Teal-green female dragon with yellow horns, hot pink eyes, pink skin, & wearing a blue, yellow & black gown with black shoulder pads, blue & gold gauntlets, black pants, & blue, white & gold boots flew down, him on his cloud, & hit the Silver Sonic, sending it flying off the bridge & into the water below the bridge*

Dulcy: . . . Did we get him?

Sonic: More like ticked him off, but it'll do for now. Hey, Dulcy.

Abigail: It's good to see you guys again.

Monkey Khan: And you as well, Abigail. *he took my hand* You're even more beautiful than I remember.

I blushed at his compliment*

Abigail: Uh . . . Thanks, Ken.

Dulcy: Hey, guys! It's been forever. I don't think I know all of you, actually . . .

Sally: Are you okay? What happened to the rest of your team?

Dulcy: Yeah, see . . . I still don't really know if I'd call them a "team" yet.

Sally: Dulcy.

Cream: My name is . . . Um, it can wait.

Dulcy: And then you guys weren't where you said you'd be. Probably . . . Y'know . . . Because the Badniks horde attacked you . . .

Sally:Dulcy.

Monkey Khan: Dulcy, remember what we talked about.

Dulcy stopped & bowed*

Dulcy: I'm sorry! It's just - I'm still at this! And I wanted to impress guys! And I don't know if they're ready! And - and - and!

Sally: What matters is you came. Ready or not, we'd like to meet up with your team and get on with our mission.

Dulcy: All right. Thanks, Sal. Can I make it up to you guys with lunch?

Just then, Chip appeared from behind Big's ear*

Chip: Did you say "lunch"?

Ken & Dulcy led us up a mountain, to a beautiful shrine*

Dulcy: We're almost there, guys! Promise!

Waiting for us at the shrine was a white female cat with black stripes, jade green eyes, a cybernetic attachment at the end of her tail, & wearing a red bandana, jade green scrunchies, a red tube top, black tracksuit pants, red & black gloves, jade green bracelets, & red & black shoes. A light green, dark green, & black female turtle with red eyes, & wearing a yellow & red gi, white, red & yellow gloves, & white, red & black shoes. And a orange & vermillion female pheasant, around Cream's age, with teal eyes, & wearing a yellow headband with teal jewel & flowers, & white ribbons, yellow dress with white & teal sleeves, a vermillion sash, yellow pants, white socks, & teal & vermillion shoes*

Monkey Khan: Welcome to the Shijin Shrine. Abigail, I don't believe you've ever had the pleasure of meeting the rest of our team.

Dulcy: Say "Ni Hao" to Jian, Bunker, and Cinder.

Bunker: Welcome, everyone.

Cinder: Ooh! New friends!? Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi!

Monkey Khan: They were the only ones to answer Dulcy's call to arms before I came along.

Dulcy: Ken's been a big help in getting us organized and training.

Sally: I don't doubt that. And they answered. That's what counts. It's a pleasure to see you all again.

Cream, Cheese, Huck, & Cinder were already becoming friends. Sonic elbowed Dulcy*

Sonic: See? And you were worried. Oh yeah. Almost forgot. How's the Iron Loud-Mouth?

Monkey Khan: As loud and obnoxious as ever. But still locked up.

Dulcy: Yeah. He's not going anywhere.

Last year, the former Iron King was captured by the Shijin Warriors when he tried to take back the Iron Fortress from the Raiju Clan. Now, he was locked in a prison underneath the Dragon Kingdom & kept under constant watch by the Shinobi Clan*

Note: See Sonic Universe Issue 53 on Archie Sonic Online for details.

Later, we were all sitting around a table, eating a delicious lunch. Ken insisted that I sit next to him*

Sonic: Sated O Spirit?

Chip: Sonic? Sonic. This world. We must save it. The noodles. The dumplings. We must save it all . . .

Abigail*giggle* Don't worry, Chip. I promise all manner of food will be saved.

Bunker: Ah, so you're looking for Zonshen?

Sally: Yes. He has one of the last Gaia Keys we need.

Bunker: That's not surprising. He goes to the temple grounds to make offerings to the Phoenix Spirit frequently.

Dulcy: Erm . . . Not lately, I hope. The Guardian Spirit has been acting funny recently . . .

Cream: Another spirit? Like you, Mister Chip?

Monkey Khan: Heh, no. It's a "lesser spirit," meant to be the Keeper of the Golden Flame.

Dulcy: It all ties into some prophecy junk my Mom keeps going on about. Point is: It's a big powerful, fiery, territorial bird.

Jian: And it's the only reason the Dark Egg Legion hasn't captured the temple.

Dulcy: Y - Yeah . . .

Cream: I don't understand . . . Why don't more people want to help you?

Chip: Hey! Where's the fish sauce?

Antoine: Big drank ze bottle.

Big: Yummy!

Dulcy: The clans have been fighting over territory and ideology for centuries. They all agree Dr. Eggman's a threat, but they can't agree to do anything about him.

Cinder: Yeah . . . The Southern Pyre Clan isn't happy I left . . .

Dulcy: I hate it. It's what made me run away from home years ago. All the way to Westside Island. *she told us how years ago, she met the Freedom Fighters shortly after they started taking on missions & they welcomed her into Knothole Village* They showed me what life was like when you pick your friends by who they are, not where they come from. They taught me the courage to come home and try to change some minds.

Sonic: Remember back then, 'Twan? Good times.

Antoine: I am remembering her sneezing and setting my hair on fire.

Sonic: Good times.

Bunker: Changing tradition is a slow process, but we are changing minds and turning heads.

Cinder: Like me! I changed! I turned! I'm here! 'Cause it's my destiny to become a Phoenix and change the world!

Bunker: Y - Yes, child. Of course.

Jian: Yes, but unfortunately, the swiftest change has been to the benefit of our enemies. The Eggman Legion Clan preaches unity through strength. All are welcome so long as they work hard. It's what drew me in initially.

Sally: They certainly had the most organized Badnik horde we've faced.

Abigail: What other advantages do they have?

Dulcy: They outnumber us a bajillion-to-one. They have rigid training regimens. They have a leader that they love and who inspires them. They've got a base right on the edge of the temple grounds. Need I go on?

Monkey Khan: I've been giving Dulcy and her team as much help as I can. But as King of the Free People, I have duties, responsibilities, and expectations. I can't be in two places at once.

Sonic spun his chopsticks & Chip was napping in his empty bowl*

Sonic: Ladies, Ladies. It's simple. We've already got a backdoor with the Gaia Gate. All we need are the keys. We can worry about driving back the whole Dark Egg Legion later.

We went down to the village below to look for Zonshen, but none of us had any luck*

Sonic: Okay, what gives? Nobody has seen this Zonshen guy?

Abigail: We've asked everyone in the village. But nobody's . . .

Just then, Cream, Cheese, & Cinder ran up to us*

Cream: Everyone! We found where Mr. Zonshen went!

Cheese: Chao-Chao!

Cinder: Yilin said he did go to the temple grounds this morning!

Sonic: The place that's guarded by the Dark Egg Legion and a cranky Phoenix?

Dulcy: Uh-huh. So much for being "simple."

Sonic: Yeah, we'll "simple" is boring.

Chip: We've saved Gaia Guardians before! We'll do it again!

Monkey Khan: And we'll all do it together this time. I swear upon my honor.

(Lacey's POV)

Tails, Bunnie, & I had just arrived in Adabat in the Tornado. Bunnie stretched & sighed in relaxation*

Tails: What is it?

Bunnie: Ahh . . . This sea breeze. Something about it feels . . . Nostalgic?

Lacey: Maybe this is where you were born?

Bunnie: Heh, maybe. With us traveling' all over the world, Ah was hopin' something might feel familiar. Then again, Ah was so little when my Aunt said Uncle adopted me, Ah can't recollect anything too specific . . .

Tails hugged Bunnie*

Tails: We'll keep looking. And I'm glad they did. When we first met, it was like getting a big sister!

Bunnie: Ha! A bitter one, but you helped me with that. And Ah wouldn't trade what we've got for anything.

Lacey: Me neither. I've met the most amazing friends a girl could ask for.

Bunnie: Glad to hear it, Lacey-Girl. Now, c'mon! Gregorious notes said we should find the next Gaia Key Guardian . . . Oh, mah stars . . .

Tails: Oh, no . . . *I didn't say anything & just covered my mouth as a gasped. What we saw as we turned the corner made us gasp in horror. A man with dark brown hair, light brown, dark brown eyes, & wearing a white shirt, maya blue waist cloth with sea green, a dark sea green tartan, & dark brown sandals, sitting on a stood in front of a pile of rubble* Excuse me, sir? Are you alright?

Teanchi: Do I look alright?

Bunnie: Mag name's Bunnie and this is Tails and Lacey. We're with the Knothole Freedom Fighters. We're looking for somebody named Teanchi.

Teanchi: That's me. What do you want?

Bunnie: We came for yer Gaia Keys, sir. Please, we need 'em in our plan to fix the world.

Teanchi: What's the point? Everything's ruined. Mt ancestral home is lost. The Gaia Temples aren't going to fix that.

Tails: We could! I'd be happy to help design a new home for you after . . .

Suddenly,Teanchi jumped out of his stool, angry*

Teanchi: I'm not losing one board of this place! Get out of here! Leave me alone!

Lacey: . . . But the keys . . .

Teanchi: GO!

We went up to the boardwalk*

Tails: Well, that was disastrous. We never accounted for an uncooperative Guardian!

Bunnie: Ah feel for him, but we need those keys.

Lacey: Maybe if we talked to some of his relatives . . .

We went up to a stall that was being run by a boy a little older than us with black hair, light brown, dark brown eyes, & wearing a sky blue cap, grey shirt, tan pouch, white waist cloth with blue & dark blue tartan, & brown sandals*

Kaeo: Hello! Welcome to the Flying Fish Beach Shop. What can I help you find today?

Tails: Hi! Do you know Teanchi? We're hoping to talk to someone in his family.

Kaeo: Ah, yah? So you're the ones he was yelling at. I could hear it from here. I'm Kaeo, his oldest son. The family's been living with me ever since our home was taken when the world shattered. But Dad . . . Anyway, what can I do for you?

Lacey: We're with the Knothole Freedom Fighters. We need something your Dad has to save the world, but . . .

Bunnie: He ain't in a helpful mood. Could you maybe talk to him for us?

Keao thought for a moment & then jumped out front behind his stall*

Keao: Save the world, huh? Let's get the rest of my family first.

We gathered up his siblings (a girl dark brown hair, light brown skin, dark brown eyes, & wearing a hair band, light blue jacket with yale blue edges & waist band over a white shirt, thulian pink waist cloth with burgundy swirl patterns, & dark blue sandals. A boy with dark brown hair, light brown skin, dark brown eyes, & wearing a black sleeveless shirt, a wisteria waist cloth, & black sandals. And a little girl with dark brown hair, light brown skin, dark brown eyes, & wearing a hair band, pink shirt, yellow waist cloth with leopard spots, & dark brown sandals), & went to Teanchi*

Kaeo: Dad . . . *he looked up at us* We've put this off too long. We need to talk.

Rudi: You spend all day sitting on this wreckage. You've barley said a word to us since this disaster.

Nagi: And you cry all night long . . . It's scary . . .

Jamal: The fishing has been really good lately. Good enough so that I can take time off and help rebuild.

Kaeo: And my mascot charms have been selling like crazy! I can help pay for materials. It's no problem.

Teanchi: You don't understand. This was my Father's house. And his Father's house. And his Father's before him. It was our legacy. You can't just rebuild that.

Bunnie stared at him for a few seconds & then sat down next to him*

Bunnie: Let me tell you somethin'. When I was just a toddler, I lost mah parents in an accident. Ah was taken in by my Uncle Beauregard and Aunt Lulumae. They raised me like I was their own daughter. When Dr. Eggman took over Mobotropolis, Ah ended up with mah arm and legs Roboticized. Folks look at you different when you're part robot. Ah had no past, lost mah home, and felt like a freak. Until one day . . .

(Flashback - 16 years ago)

*Bunnie sat on her wheelchair, staring out the window, depressed. Behind her, a 4 year old Tails was about to go up to her, but a 4 year old Ben Muttski grabbed his arm*

Ben Muttski*whispering* What are you doing!?

Tails*whispering* The same thing Sonic did for me. And since he's gone to fight on South Island . . . *they went up to Bunnie together*out loud* Well, I heard some of the kids teasing you . . . Saying your name like "Rab-bot" instead of "Rah-bow" . . .

Ben Muttski: But nicknames can be . . . Fun?

*Bunnie just huffed & looked away*

Tails: I want you to know I don't care if you've got robot parts. Rosie rakes care of you, just like me and Ben. So . . . To me, that makes you my big sister. And . . . Um . . . I'm here for you.

*Bunnie wiped away a tear from her eye*

Bunnie: Thanks a lot, Sugah. That means a lot to me.

Ben Muttski: Me, too! I'm here for you, too!

Bunnie: And you, Ben.

Tails: Rosie says you're walking better every day.

Bunnie: "Sniff." Ah guess. It still hurts a bit, though.

Tails: Well . . . I'm gonna learn from Uncle Chuck! I'll build you new legs that won't hurt! And you'll be happy again!

Ben Muttski: And I'll . . . Try . . . To learn all that stuff, too!

(Present Time - Lacey's POV)

Bunnie: Y'see what Ah'm getting at? Ah'd lost everything, but Ah could keep goin' 'cause Ah had others to support me. You lost your family home, and that's a terrible shame. But you didn't lose your family. They're right here, waitn' to help you.

Teanchi smiled*

Teanchi: You're right. I've been a fool. Everything that's important has been with me all along. *me stood up from his stool* Forgive your short-sighted old man! I love you, kids! You mean the world to me! *they all got in a group hug* We'll clean up. We'll rebuild. And I'll make up for worrying you all. To start, I'll do my duty as a Key Guardian! Kaeo! When the waves were coming, I gave you something to store in the vault. These Freedom Fighters need it immediately!

Kaeo: I'm on it, Dad!

He came back with the Gaia Key, both halves connected &Teanchi gave them both to us*

Teanchi: Thank you. Not only for risking your lives to save our world, but for opening my eyes as well. Take my Gaia Key in good health.

Lacey: With pleasure!

We all wanted his family goodbye as we headed back to the Tornado*

Tails: That's it! Once Sonic and the others get back from Chun-Nan. We'll have all the Gaia Keys! We can finally fix the world!

Bunnie: Whoo-hoo! No more monsters! No more gettin' depressed at night! And no more planet pieces flostin' everywhere!

Lacey: I can't wait. When this is over, the first thing I'm gonna do is give myself a premium spa treatment. All this traveling and late-night battling is murder on my hair and complexion.

Bunnie & Tails rolled their eyes as they walked up to the plane*

Tails: . . . Which means Angel Island will fall, too.

Bunnie: Aw, shoot! Ah forgot all about that!

Lacey: Me too. We'd better check in with Amy. See how she, Knux, and 'Su are doin'.

We got on the Tornado & Tails called Amy*

Tails: Tails to Amy! Do you read me?

Amy: Hey, Tails! What's up?

Tails: Bunnie, Lacey, and I just got the last Gaia Key. We'll be moving on the plan to fix the world soon. Have you found all the Master Emerald shards?

(Julie-Su's POV)

We were currently in Soumerca, sitting in the home of Mighty's new mentor, Moss*

Knuckles: Uh . . . No. We've got three one from Casino Park, one from Apotos, and one we found on the way here.

Amg: The Mystic Melody showed me that the rest are clustered in groups, but . . .

Knuckles: You worry about the world, Tails. We've got this.

Julie-Su: Not trying to sound negative here, but this is going to be close . . .

Knuckles: We'll make it work. It just means we'll have to strike the Egg Legion base and get those two shards I detected tonight. You two sure you're up for it?

He shook hands with Mighty*

Mighty: Knux, when have I ever passed up a challenge?

To be Continued . . .