Blood, Sweat, and Tears. part 3 of Dead Squirrel Walking This story is copyright 1997 by Will 'Chaos Omega' Wells. Don't alter it or sell it, you can and will be sued. Characters etc. herein are property of Sega, David Pistone, and all those other people. Some references are made to Mobius Apocalypse by Dan Drazen. For more detailed copyright info, see part one. Send comments, suggestions, flames, and (hope springs eternal) fan mail to me at: wellsw@ltc.tec.oh.us Author note. This is it, folks. Sonic, Knuckles and Antoine are beginning their quest to bring Sally back from the dead. Will they succeed, or will Sally be trapped as a ghost forever. (guess.) However, this is Not a story where everything returns to Status Quo at the end. This story changes the Sonic story line in a major way. The timing of the story (two months before Packbell's defeat as seen in De LaCroix's Apocalypse Prelude) is essential to this bit, which wouldn't change A.P.'s story line in any meaningful way. Be sure, I will pick up this point at a later date. That said (a shameless plug), I warn you that this is going to be nasty. I've been dropping clues right and left, especially in the visions, that the resolution won't be pretty. Sonic will face monsters, insanity, his friends turned against him, and the god Chaos himself before this is over... Be sure, Sonic will shed all of the body fluids in the title before the end... Oh, suggested mood music is 'Everything I do' by Brian Adams and 'For Once in my Life' by Stevey Wonder. I hope I spelled those right. Any way, Enjoy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 8- The Gates. Sonic and Knuckles shot silently across the desert. Sonic, who had Antoine holding onto his back, was slightly behind. Sally's ghost floated between them, directing them to move in unison. By using sound interference patterns, each canceled out the other's Sonic boom. It was Sally's idea, and it kept Sonic and Knuckles from getting competitive about who was faster. After taking the plain down from Floating Island, they headed into the Great Unknown. Once they located the Granite Desert and the Granite Mountains, they set off for where the two came together. If Knuckles' vision held true, there was some sort of structure there. After a time, they approached a pair of cliffs. Suddenly, Knuckles stopped, interrupting the harmonic interruption and causing a sudden loud *snap* as Sonic, too, skidded to a halt. "What's up, Knux?" Sally asked. "This is it, guys," Knuckles told them, "The gates are in there." "I'll lead if you don't mind," Sonic said. Knuckles nodded and Antoine whimpered, so Sonic figured it was okay with them. A cold hand passed through his arm as Sally moved to his side. Whatever was waiting, they would face it together. Not far into the cliff lined path, Sonic spotted the gates. They approached the doors, Antoine and Knuckles a discreet distance behind him. A long moaning came from behind the doors, growing louder as he approached. Knuckles cringed slightly, recognizing the pained voice from his vision. Sonic however, took no obvious notice. Sonic was too busy looking at the carvings on the door. A thorn vine bordered an image of what looked like a squirrel, praying in the manner of the old Khistan religion, obsolete for several centuries. The primatively carved face wore a spiked crown and headdress, giving the figure a desert deweller look. At her feet were two small dragons, one sitting calmly and the other breathing fire. Above the calm dragon was a scroll of some sort; above the fire-breather was a sword. A royal lady squirrel of Knowledge and Strength... Sally. The carving represented Sally. Sonic reached out and touched the carved squirrel's face. As his fingers stroked the rough stone, the moaning stopped. With a low squeak, the door moved away from his touch, opening inward. Sonic smiled and walked in. The others followed, looking mildly worried. They headed down a long, dark passage, cutting ever deeper into the side of the cliff. Long wooden torches lined the walls, casting a pale, eerie light along the passage. <"Sonic," Sally whispered, "I feel something... watching us."> The Hedgehog nodded silently, keeping an even pace. *clop, clip clop*. Sonic stopped as the noise echoed down the tunnel. Ahead of them, a dark shape stood, waiting. Antoine made choking noises, and even Knuckles looked disturbed. Yet, to Sonic, the figure seemed almost familiar... <"Oh my God." Sally whispered, "It's... daddy..."> Sonic realized it was true. It was the same horseman that they had faced in the unstable Void/Zone. Whether or not it was really King Acorn had never been truly established. In later 'non-zone' Void encounters, Sally's father had recognized her easily... and hadn't dressed in the dark knight armor. "Anybody can wear copied armor, Sal." Sonic whispered back. Sally nodded, acknowledging Sonic's point. Sonic started forward again, Sally floating at his side and his compatriots at his back. "Who dares to intrude in the Hall of Chaos?" The Dark Horseman asked in a low, booming voice totally unlike the king's. "Me," Sonic said, trying to sound heroic, "Got a problem with that?" "Yes," the Horseman replied, drawing his sword. He held it high and white fire blazed up along it's length, lighting the hallway. Sonic leapt away from the warrior's sudden down thrust, which left a scorched mark on the floor. Antoine and Knuckles went into combat stance, Antoine sweating wildly but holding his ground. Sonic grabbed several of the torches from off of the tunnel wall and handed one to each of his living companions, thus arming them. Sally, meanwhile, was trying to get a closer look at the Horseman. "An Guald!" Antoine shouted, rolling his french accent to perfection. Sweat running down his face, the cloaked fox charged the towering Horseman, swinging his torch like a broadsword. Sonic and Knuckles exchanged a shocked glance, then followed suit, and followed their comrade into battle. Antoine countered a blow with his torch, and parried, getting a hit on the Horseman's leg armor. Other than a loud ping, there were no obvious results. Sonic blocked a sword thrust, allowing Knuckles to get a fist hit on the Horseman's chest. Again, a loud ping but no apparent damage to the Horseman. "YOW! That guy's hard!" Knuckles said, shaking out his right hand while defending himself with his torch wielding left. Sally, meanwhile, decided 'oh, what the hell', and stuck her head through the Horseman's helmet. She emerged with a shocked expression. <"Hey guys," she called, "Aim for the head!"> Sonic nodded, dropped his torch, and went into a spin. He bounced off the wall and hit the Horseman's head at full speed. It came off cleanly. "Eeeewwwwwwwwww!" Sonic exclaimed as the empty helmet bounced on the ground. Then, both rider and horse dissolved into dust. The three solid figures hacked in the dust filled air. "Double Eewww!" Sonic amended, as the dust settled. Again, they headed forward. After a short walk, they arrived at another pair of doors. Runes were carved deep into the stone work. Knuckles stepped forward, examining the door, and hmmed. <"Can you read it?" Sally asked. "'The Hall of Chaos awaits all callers.'" Knuckles translated, "or something like that." "Sounds like a welcome mat to me." Sonic said, pushing open the door. Deep blue light shown on their faces, making Sonic and Sally look deep blue. Knuckles looked purple and Antoine, who was still wearing his Bakhat, looked almost black. They all, however, looked stunned. The reason for all of this was the presents of a very large, indigo colored Chaos Emerald in the center of the room. For a moment, no one spoke. Then... "Wow," Knuckles said, breaking the silence, "That sucker's big... maybe even a little bigger than my Emerald." "Et ez... Marvelous." Antoine said in awe. <"The Great Indigo Emerald." Sally stated, "I wonder what it's doing here?"> There was a sudden rumbling from the great stone... and the sound of the doors closing behind them. *I control the Hall of Chaos.* the Emerald rumbled in a monotone but female voice, *I power this great library of ancient Mobian knowledge, and I control its inner workings. Only one place on Mobius contains more power, the Master Emerald's Chamber. What you seek lies there. Thus, as my sister gem has done, I must guide you on the next leg of your journey.* "Wooa," Sonic commented, "It talks!" <"Sonic, hush!" Sally scolded. Then, to the Emerald, "How shall we proceed?"> *Since your red friend already knows the Emerald's history, there is no need for the caves of Knowledge. You also know that entrances to the Master Emerald's chamber are scattered all across the face of Mobius. To guide you to yours, you require the scrolls of King Graykor, of the House of Granite Lions. They lie in his castle, which retains many of the old powers. Be forewarned, for he was also a black wizard.* Suddenly, a pair of stone doors slammed down, closing off the Emerald's chamber and ending any possibility of further contact. Behind them, the doors out came open. "I think we just wore out our welcome." Sonic commented, dryly. "Wat waz zie Emerald speakings ov?" Antoine asked as they headed back down the corridor. <"Graykor of the House of Granite Lions," Sally repeated, "That sounds familiar."> "He was the king of Mobius from the year 962 through 1077," Knuckles said, "And he never looked older than sixty. A group of knights challenged him to a mass duel. The survivors became the heads of the Houses, taking over Mobius after they killed its tyrant king. Malcom Acorn was their leader. You, Sally, are his direct descendant." "Wow," Sonic said, impressed, "You really got the ol' brain matter goin, Knux." "Comes with Emerald guardianship." he replied as modestly as possible. "Ai am vondering ef dis might be having somethings to be doing with our Prinzess's pre-dish-a-mont." "What?" Sonic asked. <"I remember!" Sally exclaimed. All eyes turned to her. "I remember where I heard that name. It was in an old ghost story my father used to tell. Graykor's fall and some weird curse... I don't remember exactly, but there was something about him seeking revenge against the House Acorn."> "But, Sal," Sonic asked, "What does that have to do with you? I thought you just died and became a ghost." <"If everybody that died became a ghost, they'd be everywhere. Maybe the curse has something to do with it... or maybe it doesn't. The point is, it's not normal."> "Still, Sal, it seems a tad far fetched." Sonic said. <"Well, first we've got to get there."> Sally said. The others nodded. A few moments later, they arrived back at the entrance. Once they got outside, the stone doors closed again, sealing the Hall of Chaos once again. "So," Sonic asked, "Where *is* this castle, anyways?" Sally and Knuckles exchanged a glance. Each shrugging, they turned back to Sonic. <"No clue."> Sally stated. Knuckles nodded in agreement. " Vell then," Antoine said, "Maybe ve should be lookings tu zie god Chaos for, how you say, guidance?" "I don't think that's a good idea, Ant." Sonic said, "Chaos has weird ideas about 'help'." "Ai do not be seeings your point, Sonique," Antoine replied, "And I do not be believeing that ve have much ov a choice." "He may be right, guys" Knuckles said, butting in, "We're stuck as it is." "All right, all right, all right," Sonic said with an exaggerated sigh of exasperation, "How're we supposed to get this 'guidance' from Chaos?" <"Ugh, guys," Sally said, "We've got company."> They all turned and followed her finger to a gray mist that was congealing near by. After a few seconds, it solidified into a large dragon, of sorts. A pair of large wings were folded over it's coiled and apparently legless form. It looked almost like a snake with wings... and no head. Like in the visions, the dragon's only apparent face were the two whitish Emeralds that hovered just above the neck stump. Now, they gazed quietly at the four travelers, as if inquiring why they had requested its presents. After exchanging an uncertain set of glances, the four moved forward to meet the creature. They paused about two yards from the serpent. Then, suddenly, the dragon reared its neck. The roar that come from its disembodied mouth echoed through the canyon. Chapter 9- Deus Ex- Machina Antoine screamed as the neck and mouth dropped down to meet them. The faceless jaws stopped an inch from Sonic's head, hot breath hissing into his face. Sonic gulped but didn't flinch away. For a long moment, he gazed into the Dragon's mouth, which ended in a black void at the creature's tonsils. A drop of saliva glissened on the tooth closest to Sonic's nose, a sight which caused Sonic's own mouth to go dry. Then, the moment ended. The mouth, which looked much more two dimensional from a distance, and the neck backed off. The two Emerald eyes, which had been absent since the creature had reared, popped back into existence as the mouth smiled a toothy grin. It was a grin that caused all four figures to flinch. "So," Chaos began, "You need a short cut." <"Directions would work just as well."> Sally said, hesitantly. "Bhaa!" Chaos scoffed, "I never ask for or give directions." <<"Typical male.">> Sally whispered to herself. "Shhhh," hissed Sonic, "What are ya trin' ta do, Sal, get us all charbroiled?" The Dragon, who'd of course heard both comments, grinned again. "I'm sure that my mate Order would agree with you, Princess," Chaos said, "However, since she's still hidden *, I'd suggest you take the shortcut I have prepared... before I become impatient." With that, the Dragon faded out. Meanwhile, a large hole opened in the blank cliff face. A small neon sign reading 'Short Cut' blinked on and off above the dark entrance. (* Order is the mind that inhabits the Master Emerald, according to my Chaos Incarnate Saga) "This looks like the way in." Sonic commented, dryly, "Somebody else want to lead for a change?" No one moved. "I guess it's you and me again, Sal." She nodded and returned her cold hand to his shoulder. Again, they started forward, into the darkness. Sonic idly wondered to himself how many more dark caverns they'd have to explore before he could hold a solid Sally in his arms again. <> came a booming... thought. Sally felt Sonic tense under her touch. <"What's wrong?"> she asked quietly. "Something... thought at me." Sonic replied. <"It could be the shortcut's challenge, or at least part of it." she said, turning to look back the way they'd come. "Hey, Antoine! Knuckles! We need to talk for a second."> There was no reply. "Sal..." Sonic said, a slight tremble in his voice, "Something seriously strange is goin' on here. I'm sure that Ant and Knuckles followed us in." <> came the thought again. Instantly, Sonic felt something wrong. It took a moment for him to realize what. "Sal's hand is gone!" he said in a shocked whisper. Then, after turning around, he called "Sally!" into the darkness. The darkness seemed to swallow his voice, and the sound of his foot falls, leaving him lost in silence and darkness. He stepped forward, calling out Sally's name again, but the darkness only grew deeper. With every step, he became more lost. Sonic could feel the darkness eating at him, a cold predator with the scent of his sole. This encroaching mirk seemed more terrible than any possible fate that could ever befall him. Somewhere, deep within his sole, he realized that he had lost and that this was death... an infinity of darkness in which he would wander for eternity. He could never escape this mass of dark insanity. Then he realized what the only fate worst was. To know that Sally was trapped in her own cave of darkness, and that he couldn't reach her or help her, no matter how hard or long he tried, that was the worst fate. To be lost, ever searching for his lost love, while the darkness slowly and painfully drove him mad. Also came the realization that he could only escape by giving up the search before the darkness destroyed him. A light appeared a ways infront of him... it was the way out. Antoine and Knuckles stood, silhouetted in the doorway, beckoning him to follow them out. Sonic turned and walked the other way. He would face the darkness and the madness... and he would embrace them. He would search forever, darkness or not, chance of success or not, ever if it ment his destruction. There was no price too high, no part of himself he would deny, if there was even a remote possibility of a chance to give Sally back her life. <> boomed the thought. <"Sonic, wake up." Came Sally's voice. Sonic sat up, opened his eyes, and found himself looking out of Sally's back. Sally jumped back, startled, and Sonic realized that he'd just put his face through her chest. "What happened?" Sonic asked, glancing around. They were in a small chamber with a spiral staircase leading up to higher levels. Knuckles and Antoine stood a few feet away, near the stairs. Only a few feet away was a short tunnel leading out into the desert. <"We came in and you passed out." Sally said, "What happened to you?" "I think I passed the challenge." Sonic said, slightly dazed. "Are you wantings to be telling about it?" Antoine asked. "No thanks, Ant." Sonic said, standing up, "Let's just get moving." The others nodded and followed Sonic up the staircase. By the twentieth turn, Antoine was ready to collapse. "I *pant* cannot *pant* be goings *pant* any further *wheeze* Moi Prinzess." Antoine gasped. "Talk about it." Sonic said, only slightly better off, "Walking's bad enough, but this is torture. And, these stupid steps are too narrow for me to juice up." "Thanks, blue," Knuckles said with evident sarcasm, "I would have forgotten that you pointed that out thirty times before if you hadn't of pointed it out again!" "I don't see you doin any better, Mr. Guardian" Sonic snapped back. <"Cool it, you two."> Sally scolded "Hey Sally," Knuckles began, "What did you ever see in this blue loser?" "That does it!" Sonic yelled, leaping onto the Echidna. Both enraged, they began to punch, kick, flip, and head-butt each other in their typical combat style. <"Guys!" Sally protested, "What are you doing?! Stop that right now!"> "Allowings me, Prinzess." Antoine said. He cleared his throat loudly and turned away from the fist fight. "Yez, Prinzess, let us be leaving these fuels," he said in a loud voice. "Hey!" Sonic and Knuckles said in unison, breaking and turning towards Antoine. "Oh, Sonique, Misue Knuckles, please do not be stoppings on moi account." Antoine said, "I wouldn't be wantings you to stop and tink vor a minuet." Both Sonic and Knuckles looked momentarily confused. Then, they looked at each other. "Why were we fighting?" asked Sonic. "I don't know." replied Knuckles "Et ez vecause zie god Chaos ez testing us again." Antoine said, "Have you not felt the room growing hotter? I waz tinking it waz only me, but when you began your fightings, I realized that et waz the floor that waz making us hot. And, as every person ez knowing, the hot makes you agressable." "That's aggressive, Ant." Sonic noted. <"Why weren't you affected, Antoine?"> Sally asked. "I waz." Antoine replied, "'Owever, when Sonique and Knuckles began fighting, I waz realizing that zomething waz, how you say, fishing." "Let's get the hell outa here." Sonic said, "Grab on, everybody." "You want Me to hold on to you?" Knuckles asked. "Trust me, Rad Red." Sonic said with a smile. Knuckles sighed, glanced at Sally, and grabbed on behind Antoine. "Juice Time!" Sonic shouted, heading down the steps. Then, once he had picked up speed, he shot up one of the walls curved around, staying on the side of the spiral staircase, just above the hand rail. A few minutes later, they reached the top. "Wooaaaa..." Knuckles said. "Sacra blu!" Antoine added. "That sucker is Huge." Sonic stated. <"I think we've arrived."> Sally said, looking at the structure that faced them. An ancient stone castle stood before them. A towering gate house met their gaze first, the walls and towers that lay behind seeming almost an after thought. The stone works were gray and cracked, showing the age of the once gleaming white structure. Pennants and tower covers had long since rotted to dust, but metallic frames attested to their existence. In all, the stone fortress seemed a thing long left for dead, that maybe should be left to lie in peace. Between them and the castle was a long, rocky courtyard lined with crags and cliffs, shielding the castle from sight from below. They were directly about the place where they had seen Chaos... Sonic could have juiced straight up the side of the blank cliff wall. "Everybody ready?" Sonic asked. They all nodded. "Let's do it to it!" Sonic and Sally said together, attempting a fist bump. Knuckles raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. A melancholy smile slipped onto Antoine's face as memories of an easier time tugged at his mind. Together, all four headed into the Gatehouse. Chapter 10- Graykor. They walked slowly past the piles of compost that had once been oak doors and stepped over the portcullis grove in the floor. Several sections of wall had opened into side rooms that had once been partitioned off by more oak panels; one of which contained the mechanism for raising and lowering the cast iron portcullis, which was thankfully still in the up position. Sonic wouldn't have enjoyed trying to run up the spiked outer walls. The historical value of the ancient gearbox that worked the portcullis struck Antoine and Sally immediately. The entire castle was awe inspireing, and both had the 'kid in a candy store' look about them. Sonic and Knuckles, however, only found the place creepy. Past the Gatehouse was a brick laid courtyard with what may have once been a garden, but was now only a mass of tangled weeds and vines. Thorn bushes and thorned vines crept up most of the stone work, reminding Sonic of the stone gates far below them. A few medieval statues were positioned in what was probably intended to be a decorative fashion, but now looked to be dark guardians of the main Keep that lay beyond the courtyard. "This place gives me the chills." Sonic said to no one in particular. "I tink et ez, um, half past kuel." Antoine protested. "Let's just get movin'" Knuckles suggested, shivering in the chill November air. Sonic gave Knuckles a gratified smile and led off again, towards the Keep. Since there was no door left, Sonic walked through the empty doorway. Inside, it was if they had stepped back in time several centuries. The room, which appeared to be a banquet hall, looked as if someone had just finished a meal there. On the slightly messy table, fresh cut flowers sat in vases and half eaten plates of food still steamed. Beyond that were walls covered with tapestries and woodcarvings, which stood out against the white washed walls. In the center of the vast hall stood a golden throne and a small end table, apparently for the King's personal use. On the table a bees wax candle burned away softly, never seeming to lose any wax. "I think we've arrived." Sonic said with a faint grim, mimicking Sally's earlier tone. <"It's... magnificent" Sally breathed, taking in the medieval scene, "I've never seen a place like this before."> "Guys," Knuckles said in an uncharacteristically frightened voice, "We're not alone here. Someone... no, some Thing is watching us." <"Probably what ever keeps this place from deteriorating."> suggested Sally. "Ai am agreeing with Miseu Knuckles," Antoine put in, "This place ez, how you say... ah, drippings evil." "I can feel it too, Sal." Sonic added, glancing around the room, "This place ain't natural. Let's just find the scrolls and go." Sally nodded, casting an inquisitive eye around the room. By silent agreement, Sonic and Sally searched one way while Antoine and Knuckles went the other. Each pair headed to opposite sides of the great hall and began sweeping the room, checking over, around, under, and, in Sally's case, through any thing that might conceal the scrolls. Finally, nearly an hour later, they all arrived at the golden throne. <"I'll check in- ughf!"> Sally stopped short, her head impacting solidly on the gold. <"Ohhh," Sally groaned, "That hurt."> "You okay, Sal?" Sonic asked immediately. <"Yes," she said, rubbing her forehead, "I just wasn't expecting it to be... solid."> Sonic, Antoine, and Knuckles exchanged a three way glance. Then, almost tentatively, Sonic tapped the throne. It clinked, just as solid to him as to Sally. "Mondo weird." Sonic murmured. "If you were an evil wizard/king, what kind of trick latch would you make?" Knuckles asked, examining the throne's carved armrest. "And where would you put it?" "With en arms reaching." Antoine replied, moving over to the other armrest. Sonic and Sally, meanwhile, began tapping their way around the base of the throne, looking for secret doors. "Hmmmmmmm...." Antoine hmmed. "Ahem hmm hem," the fox added, rubbing his neck. Then, noticing a slight indentation in one of the odd patterns that covered the armrest, he hmmed again. After a pause he pushed on the indentation. It clicked. And the back of the throne popped off. With a loud clatter, it fell to the stone floor. "Yow!" Sonic exclaimed, "That was too close for the ol' comfort." "Yez!" Antoine cried happily as Knuckles picked up the scroll from it stand inside the throne, "I am successing!" Sally smiled wrily but didn't correct his grammar. "What's it say?" Sonic asked as Knuckles unrolled it. Most of the page was blank. The only lettering was a short passage at the top, written in runes similar to the ones on the inner doors to the Hall of Chaos. "It says, 'he who seeks Chaos and Order, give a drop of blood and behold.'" Knuckles shrugged his shoulders, "It looks like finger pricken time." "I hate this," Sonic said, cutting his right index finger on one of his quills. Then, he reached out and let a drop of blood fall on the scroll. The drop was soaked up almost instantly. Then, the scroll caught fire. "Wooa," Knuckles said, dropping the paper, that's hot!" Then, the fire died out, leaving a series of runes burned into the paper. "More Ancient Mobian." Knuckles commented, "Here goes. 'Below your enemy's throne, at your childhood's feet, lays the passage to the place you seek. Bring that which you wish to restore to the Chamber of Chaos. Be warned, the time to trim the flock is at hand.'" On cue, a rumble filled the castle. The scroll, which Knuckles had finished reading, caught fire again and completed its destruction. A blue glow momentarily engulfed Sonic, who stumbled away from the throne, looking ready to faint. <> called the same voice that had tormented Sonic in the Darkness. <> Before them formed an image of a lion in Kingly but black-colored attire. He held up a hand and a ball of blue-black energy crackled into existence, just above his finger tips. He threw it at Sally's ghost with a primal cry. Knuckles leapt up, the energy-ball hitting the red echidna between the eyes. Knuckles cried out, not in pain but anger. Using all his strength, he took hold of the power from the blast of magic and reformed it into an energy shield. The ghost of Graykor threw another, but it was stopped and absorbed by the disk of energy that Knuckles had woven. Protected for the moment, Knuckles sat down in the meditative locus position and began to chant. HE spoke quickly, in ancient tongues, so fast that no one could follow his words. Then, Knuckles stopped. His body flopped back in a coma like state, leaving an image Knuckles still in the locus position. The image Knuckles stood as the protective disk broke up. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size, Dead Head!" Knuckles snarled, tauntingly. < Graykor growled, > "Only if I lose." Knuckles replied. Suddenly, the red Echidna pounced on the darkly clothed lion. More blue energy crackled , joined by green energy from Knuckles. Crys of pain and rage filled the Great Hall. "Ant, Sal, get outa here!" Sonic cried, "I gota get Knuckles." With that, Sonic moved to the Echidna's body and picked him up. He followed Sally and Antoine out, several steps behind. Outside, Antoine was almost to the Gate House, and Sally was hovering in the courtyard. Sonic tried to run, and stopped short, a look of shock and horror spreading across his face. "I can't juice!" he proclaimed, "That glow stole my power!" <"Then just hurry," Sally shouted, "I don't know how much longer Knuckles can hold off Graykor."> Again on cue, the side of the Great Hall blew open and the struggling forms of Graykor and Knuckles emerged, power blasting from their locked hands. "Speak of the devil." Sonic muttered as he trotted into the Gate House. Suddenly, the two combatants threw each other off. Graykor glanced at Sonic and called, <> The ground quaked slightly, causing Sonic to trip. Both he and Knuckles' body flopped to the ground. Sonic felt a deep grove beneath his head. He looked up and saw the portcullis plunging straight for his head. Chapter 11, Knothole Unspoken Sonic, knowing that he had no chance of escape, closed his eyes and waited for death. It never came. An ear splitting cry of pain from the other side of the Gatehouse did, however. Sonic opened his eyes to see the portcullis about a foot and a half above his head. Sonic pushed Knuckles' unconscience form to the other side and then stood to see what had happened. Graykor was hovering silently, a look of shock on his face... the same expression was on Sally and Knuckles faces. (this being mental Knuckles) Sonic followed their gazes to the portcullis controls. Antoine was there, whimpering quietly in pain, his left leg jammed into the gear box that controlled the portcullis. Blood seeped from between the gears, which were slowly cutting deeper into Antoine's leg. Sonic ran back to the courtyard as fast as his speedless legs could carry him. There, he grabbed a large statue and pulled it back to the Gatehouse. With a strained grunt, he shoved the wide end under the portcullis and levered it up, taking the tension off of Antoine's leg. With another cry of pain, Antoine pulled his leg from the gear box and lay panting a moment on the brick floor. As Sonic and Sally moved to Antoine's side, Graykor and Knuckles seemed to remember each other. This time, however, Knuckles was faster. A few Emerald charged hyper punches later, Sonic and Sally had gotten outside the Gatehouse with the wounded Antoine and the comatose Knuckles. "As much as I Hate to leave fight unfinished, my friends need me." Knuckles' image informed Graykor before slipping past the portcullis and out of the Gatehouse. Graykor tried to follow, but seemed to hit a wall at the portcullis. <> the imprisoned ghost called from a high battlement over the Gatehouse. "Ya, right!" called Knuckles a moment after he reentered his body. "Oh, I'm Scared!" Sonic added with sarcasm. In the castle, the image of Graykor faded out with a long moan... and a slight blue glow touched Sonic. "Hey! I've got my juice back!" Sonic proclaimed, running in a short loop. "No wonder!" Knuckles exclaimed, "I thought that fight felt familiar. Graykor was tapping you to power his attacks!" <"That sounds like a typical Chaos challenge to me." Sally stated, "It's strange, ironic, and deadly."> "Come on, everybody, let's juice." Sonic suggested. Sonic, who was still holding Antoine's unconscience form, and Knuckles revved up and ran over the side of the cliff. Side by side, they raced down the cliff wall and streaked across the desert, heading for the Great Forest and Knothole, where Antoine could get some medical attention. As they ran, one phrase echoed through Sonic's mind. 'Below your enemy's throne, at your childhood's feet, lays the passage to the place you seek.' *** Hours later, they arrived back in Knothole. Sonic still held Antoine, who had not yet regained conscience. Sally was helping Knuckles stay awake; he had exhausted himself fighting Graykor. Because of all that Knuckles had done to help, Sonic didn't let himself feel jealous. A shocked crowd formed as they headed for Bookshire's hut... however, none of the looks seemed directed at Sally's image. They seemed intent on Antoine's battered and bandaged form, which occasionally uttered a delirious moan of pain. Sonic sighed with relief when Bookshire met them at the door to his hut. "My God, what happened?" Bookshire asked as Sonic carried Antoine in. "He stuck his leg in some gears to stop a door from crushing me." Sonic explained, "I owe him my life." Knuckles, meanwhile, went to one of the other beds , climbed in, and passed out. Sonic sympathized and wished he could do likewise, but there was too much to do. "Book, I'm gona need some stuff." Sonic said, "Sal can fill you in while I take care of... something." "What are you talking about, Sonic?" Bookshire asked, "Sally's dead." "Ya I know." Sonic said, confused, "But her spirit's right there." <"Hi Booker."> Sally added, waving a hand. "Sonic, I think you need to lay down," Bookshire said, "You're seeing things." she told Sonic. "Oh, man," Sonic said, disgusted, "That was why nobody seemed shocked to see ya... they couldn't!" Sally nodded, recalling the lack of attention she had received. "What are you talking about, Sonic?" asked Bookshire in a very concerned voice. "Never mind," Sonic said with a sigh, "I've got work to do." With that, Sonic and Sally headed out, Sonic using the door and Sally passing directly through the wall. Sally put her cold but reassuring hand on Sonic's shoulder as he headed past curious by-standers to the power ring pool... and Sally's grave. Once there, Sonic took a moment to decide how to proceed. Bookshire, flanked by Tails, Bunnie, Uncle Chuck, and a few others arrived a few seconds later. They all wore similar worried expressions. "What's up, Sonic?" Tails asked, trying to look non-chalant. "It's kinda complicated, little bro," Sonic said, "First, tell me what you see above my right shoulder." Sonic glanced up at Sally, who was to his right. "Sonic," Tails began, "I don't see anything." "Does *anybody* see *anything*?" Sonic asked the crowd loudly. "Sonic," Bookshire said slowly, "What do you see there?" For a long moment, Sonic didn't reply. The crowd watched as Sonic looked up to his right and put his left hand on his right shoulder. Sonic could feel Sally's virtual hand partially within his own, just as she felt his hand inside hers. They looked into eachother's eyes. Each knew what was about to happen, and wanted to savor this last moment. "Sally." Sonic said finally. "But Sonic, "Bookshire repeated, "Sally's dead." "Exactly." Sonic said, "That's why I have to do this." Sonic leapt into the air, began to spin, and dropped to the ground a foot from Sally's headstone. He cut into the ground, spraying dirt in all directions, until he reached a dirty bed sheet. Quickly, considering he was digging and not running, he dug away the dirt that surrounded it and pulled the wrapped body free. Then he carried it back up to the surface. Shocked faces greeted him there. Tails was wide eyed, and looking at Sonic with mute terror. Bookshire looked only mildly suprised, as if his fears he had been suspecting the exact state of Sonic's mind. Bunnie looked angry, as if he had broken some sacred trust. The others displayed a range of scarred to angry. Sonic was sorry he had to alienate all his friends like this, but he had to save Sally... he wouldn't fail her again. "Bye everybody." Sonic said, about to juice. The entire crowd suddenly surged forward. Several people shouted "Stop Him!" in their excitement. Sonic was momentarily stunned at the sight of his friends rushing at him, but snapped out of it in time to jump away from the mob. Then, as he landed, a hand grabbed on to his arm. "Ah don't think so, sugah." Bunnie stated, restraining the Hedgehog. "Sorry Bunnie," Sonic said as he roughly broke from her grasp, "Goodbye." With that, he shot out of Knothole at full speed. Only another Hedgehog (or an Echidna) could catch him now... and Uncle Chuck was the only one currently living in Knothole. Between age and nearly fifteen years of being a robot, Chuck was in no condition to be chasing anyone. As Sonic headed towards Robotropolis, the words that Knuckles had translated back at the castle ran through his mind. "Below your enemy's throne, at your childhood's feet, lays the passage to the place you seek." Back before the coup, he and the others had sometimes gone down into the lowest basement under the palace, and down farther into an old, stripped out library. They would spend hours painting murals onto the ancient brick walls, drawing childish pictures of greenhills and smiling suns. When Robotnik took over, he remodeled the palace into his 'death egg' control center. However, as they had once discovered, the lower levels were nearly unchanged. Since Packbell's throne was higher up in that same control center, and since most of their other childhood haunts had been turned into junk-piles, that seemed to be the most likely place. Now, all Sonic had to do was get past the SWATbots, get into the control center, head down to the basement, break into the old catacombs, and hope he was right... A cold caress on his arm told him that Sally's spirit wanted to talk. Since he was actually a little tired (not that he would admit it), Sonic decided to find a quiet place to sit down. Moments later, Sonic found a pleasant nook and laid the body down. <"Sonic, what's going to happen?"> she asked him in a sad voice that caught Sonic off guard. So far, Sally had been calm and philosophical about her situation. Her sudden sadness worried Sonic. "What do ya mean, Sal?" Sonic asked, hoping she'd tell him what was wrong. <"We've hurt a lot of people today, Sonic" she told him, "Antoine's leg is probably broken, Knuckles took a mental beating, and now we've scarred everybody we care about. I just keep wondering, it worth it?"> "Hey, Sal," Sonic replied, "Ant and Knux knew the risks when they signed on. As for the others... having you back will make up for me acting crazy." He reached up and stroked his hand through her cheek. <"I still think that something's wrong with this." she said, "After those visions, and that side track with Graykor, something just feels wrong."> "I can handle just about anything, Sal." he told her, "It's cool." <"I hope so, Sonic."> Sally said. They were quiet for a time, then Sonic picked up the wrapped body and started for Robotropolis again. *** Sonic blasted past the outskirts of the city, heading for the control center. He continued past the trenches and army of SWATbots that were guarding their leader Packbell to the last. Normally, this would be suicide; not even Sonic could face over a hundred SWATbots at once. But, this time, the bots had a greater concern. Over Robortopolis was a flock of headless dragons. The one in front had two disembodied emeralds for eyes. The flock seemed to be forming somewhere in one of the smoke clouds over the city, and more were flying out every few seconds. They were flying circles over Packbell's control center, like vultures over a dying animal. None of the bots efforts could get rid of the solemn creatures. "I guess this is the place." Sonic commented, going into one of the vents into the large, egg shaped building. Sonic crept slowly down into the first basement. Sally of course didn't need to creep, she just floated by normally. Still, it seemed to Sonic like a typical mission into Robotropolis. He could almost forget why they had to get to the lowest sub-basement...almost. The presents of Sally's body, however, kept Sonic from forgetting exactly why they were here. They moved continually lower into the building. Sonic still remembered the route they had used most as children, and followed it as best he could. Eventually it led them into a small storage room, the lowest sub-basement. It took several minutes for Sonic to find the entrance to the old catacomb, which was hidden behind several pieces of electronic equipment. Finally, they descended into the old library. Instead of their children's murals painted on the old walls, Sonic found a torch lit anteroom with a decorative spiral staircase built into the center of the room. Carvings of dragons, emeralds, and countless other mythological works filled the room, giving it a museum like look. Sonic took several moments before speaking. "Wow, someone remodeled." he said. Sally gave him a look, but didn't reply. Sonic shrugged his shoulders and headed down the stairs. Several seconds of super sonic travel later, Sonic reached the bottom. A pair of blank stone doors stood at the far end of the small room, much like all the other stone doors they had seen during the quest. Between them and the doors, however, was a presents. A mass of gray something descended from the ceiling, hovered a moment, then coalesced into a headless dragon, the physical representation of the god Chaos. "You have done well," Chaos said, "However, to enter this way you must remove all physical incomberences." "Hnnn?" Sonic asked. <"Take off your shoes and gloves, and unwrap me."> Sally explained. Sonic nodded and did so, making an effort not to look at the body's face. Chaos smiled and faded out, mostly. "See you on the other side." Chaos' disembodied mouth said, fading out last. "Ready Sal?" Sonic asked his love. She nodded, looking apprehensive. Sonic stepped up and put a hand on the left hand door. Chapter 12, Juicing Sonic pushed open the doors. Inside stood a four foot tall, bone white pillar. The floor of the large, dome like chamber seemed artificially flat, while the walls and roof seemed natural rock. Sonic walked up to the pillar, feeling several small panels under his bare feet. From his previous experiences with the Master Emerald, he knew of their violent function. Carefully, he laid the body on the floor before the pillar. Somehow, the Master Emerald was inside there. He was sure of it. He stood again, trying not to look at the dead body's face. Disturbingly, Sally's body showed no signs of decay... it looked the same as the day he first wrapped it. Still, or maybe especially because of that, it gave him the chills. Sally's image standing at his side was much more conforting. A minute passed... then two... then five. Finally, Sonic got fed up with the stress of waiting and said, "We left our physical garments outside, Emerald. Face us with the same courtesy." Sally blinked, apparently suprised by Sonic's formal speech. The room shook suddenly, and the white shell of the pillar crumbled away, revealing the Master Emerald. It was four feet tall and looked off white, but was actually an ever shifting combination of all colors and shades. The different colors were as small as TV pixels, and created the white color in a similar fashion. "YOU HAVE COME, CHOSEN ONES", the Emerald said, "NAME YOUR INTENTIONS." "I'm here to make a deal." Sonic said, hoping that was the right answer. "TAKE A QUILL FROM YOUR BACK AND WRITE WHAT YOU REQUIRE ON THIS." The Emerald said. A panel slid open and a large slate rose up from the floor. "What do I use for ink?" Sonic asked. "BLOOD" the Emerald replied. Sonic gulped, pulled a quill from his back, and pricked his left index finger. Carefully, he wrote SALLY ALIVE on the slate. Then, he stood again and faced the Emerald. "THE PRICE FOR A LIFE IS ANOTHER LIFE," the Emerald said, "YOURS" For a moment, a chill silence fell over the chamber. <"No Sonic!" Sally said, finally ,"It's not worth it!"> "Yes it is, Sal." Sonic said, "Mobius needs you. The only thing I've ever done is fight. Now, the war is almost over. What we need now is a competent leader. You've gota put everything back together... you don't need me for that." <"But Sonic," Sally protested, "You just can't give up your life!"> "I'd have given my life to save you, Sal. I've always known that if it was either me or you, I'd make sure it was you who made it out. Then I screwed up and you died. I failed ya, Sal. But, now, I can put things right. I have to do this." <"Sonic, you Can't!"> Sally protested again. Sonic ignored her and knelt before the Emerald. "I'm ready." Sonic said simply. The Emerald flickered once. Under Sonic, one of the smaller panels slid open with a resounding click. Sonic gritted his teeth, knowing what was next. <"NO!!!"> Sally cried as a long stone spike shot up into Sonic's gut. He only grunted as blood began pouring out onto the floor. Suddenly, Sally was on the floor, looking up at the Emerald. She had returned to her body, and her wounds were healed. She also felt Sonic's warm blood on her arm. She sat up and moved to the slate that Sonic had written on. A sudden idea came to her. As quickly as she could, she used the quill and Sonic's puddle of blood to add several words to the contract. Then, satisfied, she moved to Sonic's side. Sally lifted Sonic's dying form and held him, even as her own strength began to fade again. "Oh, Sonic," she said, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't let you do it." "Sal-" Sonic choked, "you didn't..." "Don't worry Sonic," she whispered, "I won't leave you." Sally hugged Sonic tighter, tears running down her face. She held him closer still as he shivered from lack of blood. Then, Sonic stopped shivering. "Son-" Sally cried in the same moment as the letters on the bloody slate flashed white. *** "...ic" Sally called, trotting through the dirt streets of Knothole village. Several yards away, laying in a cot set up infront of his hut, was the goof off known as Sonic the Hedgehog. "Hey, Sal" Sonic said as she stepped up beside him, "What's up?" "I've got to tell you something," she said, "privately." "'Kay Sal" Sonic said, getting up. They walked inside, where Sonic flopped down onto the bed. Sally chose to stand. "Sonic, you know how I've been feeling kind of sick these last few days?" she asked. Sonic nodded, so she continued, "I was just over at Bookshire's. Sonic... I'm pregnant." "Say WHAT!?!" Sonic yelped, jumping off of the bed. "I'm going to have a baby this summer, yours." She said. "I'm going to be a dad?" Sonic asked, astounded. "Yes, not to mention King of Mobius after my Father," Sally said, "or at least royal consort." "Which involves more work?" Sonic asked jokingly. "That depends on what you consider work." Sally said, an wicked smirk on her face. Sonic laughed, then asked to listen to her stomach. After a few minutes, the couple went to tell their friends the good news. *** Meanwhile, in a chamber buried deep within the crust of the planet, the gods Chaos and Order smiled to each other. The plan was finished and the stage was set. The moment that had taken so long to prepare for had come and gone, and it had been prefect. Even more ironic was the phrasing of the deal that the pair had written... but that too had been arranged. Slowly, a bloody slate descended into the floor. The words Sonic and SALLY ALIVE and together glowed in the dark room. The End ... for now Send any questions comments, flames, or fan mail to me at wellsw@ltc.tec.oh.us