Chapter 1
"Jynx, Jynx are you up there?" asked Courage from below the balcony.
"Courage?" replied Jynx. "Finally," Jynx said as she climbed down the balcony quietly, “I was beginning to wonder if you would show." She reached the ground. "Tell me again why you want to sneak out of this awesome palace?"Courage wondered. "Well my mother and father don't want me to leave the grounds at night and watching the sky isn't as fun from my balcony compared to the plains past the woods," explained Jynx as they leaped up the ground walls and disappeared into the forest.
The two friends reached the plains and climbed up a hill."Wow isn't the sky beautiful?" asked Jynx lying down on the soft midnight grass.
"I suppose, if that's what you’re serious about. I would like to have adventures." Courage admitted. "Really? I think astronomy is the greatest thing ever!"Exclaimed Jynx and then a few shooting stars fell amongst the stars. "Wow.” said Courage. "See? Astronomy isn't all bad. Let’s make a wish.” suggested Jynx and they shut their eyes and wished. Another couple of shooting stars passed but they were different.
"Was one of those red?" Courage asked
"I think so, that's really weird"
"Maybe we should head back"
"Yeah it's getting late. Let's go then" The two got up from the ground and walked down into the forest. The planet started to rumble and quake and the sky turned a dark red. "Courage you didn't happen to make a wish to have an adventure did you?"Asked Jynx.
"Uh...maybe." replied Courage. Everything went black. The sky was the same now, the rumbling stopped, but most things were demolished.
"Courage? Courage?" asked Jynx getting up from the ground with her hand on her head. "Jynx? Are you ok?" Courage's spines were showing from a bush, “Yes, come on out." Courage got up and they looked around. “Oh no," gasped Jynx, “Hurry we have to get back to Calcatar Palace!" She grabbed Courage's hand and leaded her through the fallen trees.
They reached the ground walls and jumped over. The palace was destroyed. "No, no, no..." Jynx drove her face into her hands, and Courage walked toward the rubble to investigate. "I'm sorry Jynx, but no one is here." Courage said sadly. "B-but without mother as the queen or father as the king. I can't rule all by myself." Jynx admitted. "Is there even anything to rule?" asked Courage, "Come on let's look around else where."
Courage lifted Jynx up when a pack of wolves came around them. "J-jynx w-why are their eyes red?" asked Courage.
"Because we are Demon Wolves." said the biggest wolf. "You can talk?" asked Jynx. "Guess why. I am Izal and you two are doomed" Izal stated.
"I don't think so." A wind pasted through the group. A blue wind stirred around the wolves and kicked them away. Then a light flashed and the demon wolf pack scattered.
"Are you girls ok?" The blue beam slowed down and you could finally see it. "I must thank you, I am Princess Jynx of Calcatar, and this is my best friend, Courage the Hedgehog," Jynx said. "It's no problem," the blue one replied, "It's what I do, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog."
"What are you doing all the way out here in Calcatar?" asked Courage. "I saw that red thing fall out of the sky," Sonic replied,” You two better come with me. It's not safe out in the darkness with demon creatures around." Sonic led them through the darkness holding a flashlight. Demon creatures don't go near the light.
Jynx and Courage followed Sonic. He didn't say a single word or show any expression. Jynx looked at him and suddenly remembered when he first visited Calcatar. Doctor Robotnik was trying to gain control of the palace. He had a large quantity of swatbots with him, far more superior to King Muleteer’s guard droids. When all seemed lost Sonic arrived and drove Robotnik and his army out. King Multeer asked his daughter Jynx to award them at the ceremony. Jynx had never seen Sonic until that moment. When her eyes met his something deep inside her made her heart beat with passion. Jynx could only marry royalty so she could one day rule her kingdom so immediately put feelings for him out of her mind.
Sonic lead the girls to a small clearing in the forest lit by a small fire. Courage climbed up a tree, which she did when she was going to rest or think. Jynx sat by the fire, still shivering.
"Here" Sonic approached her with a blanket and was about to wrap it around the cold lynx, “No-No I could not accept-" "It's cold." protested Sonic as he coiled it around her and sat beside her. Jynx looked up at the sky, "After what has happened tonight I almost forgot about the stars and sky."
Sonic looked up into the vast pelt of endless sparkling lights. He never really had the time to look at the night sky, or the day sky for that matter. A shooting star soured across the stars. "So does this mean we make a wish?" he asked.
"...yes...of course"
The morning wasn't sunny at all. The world, Mobius, was dark. Everything looked as it would at night. The moon was up along with the stars. Something strange was going on. A strange hedgehog walked into the scene. It was jet black and eyes were a solid red. Jynx and Courage suspected it to be a demon but it was a machine. Doctor Robotnik had returned. The three hoped this would be the final time he dared to show his face.
Chapter 2
"Greetings hedgehog!" Robotnik said with a twisted smile on his face.
"You just don't give up do you?" questioned Sonic, "Didn't you realize that you never win?" Robotnik stared at him then explained, "I've been studying you in my time of absence," he pointed out his robot, "X is just like you, and not only do I have something equally matched for you, oh no, I have an entire army that beats you in speed, strength, and skill!"
"Yeah but your army doesn't have something that we do." Courage stepped up to X.
"She's right," Jynx went up next to her," We have faith and friendship...and we will have freedom!" The girls smiled at Sonic and he rushed at the black machine with great force. X put his hand out; at the right moment he grabbed Sonic's wrist. Then flinging Sonic into a tree, remaining still.
"Well, it looks like faith and freedom won't help you win this one!" laughed Robotnik as they retreated to prepare the army.
Jynx and Courage went over to Sonic. "Sonic are you alright?" asked Jynx. "Yeah...I'm ok," he replied, "Let's go." he said jumping down from the tree.
"Go where?" asked Courage as Sonic started continuing through the forest. "To stop Robotnik." The two friends glanced at each other and began following the blue hero out of the dark forest.
Their trail took them to the Toxic Jungle. As they entered the Jungle Sonic felt a sting of energy flow through his body. It wasn't normal energy; this was traced with evil, power, and corruption. Sonic broke apart from the two and went looking around. Under a burnt bush, in a hole in the ground, Sonic saw a dark red glowing rock. He attempted picking it up but it was flaming hot.
"Hey check this out!" he called to Jynx and Courage.
"It looks like-"
"I'm afraid it is..."
"The red star that fell from the sky," Courage investigated the rock, " I don't believe this came from the stars."
"Courage we saw it fall from the sky!" Jynx remarked. "I know but it looks..."
"Before we make conclusions," interrupted Sonic, "We should look for anything else mysterious." They left the rock and continued through the jungle. Courage knew that rock couldn't have come from the stars; it struck her with something similar.
Sonic could feel eyes watching them, red eyes, from a close distance. "Izal," he stated, "there is no use in hiding. I know you are there."
"Yes but that won't help you out of this situation," Izal and his pack stepped out from the shadows, "because we are going to be rid of all of you!" he growled. The pack surrounded the three, each keeping their demon eyes on them. "I beat you once," said Sonic, "What makes you think you can beat me?" he asked. "Our power is far more greater than your."
The pack lunged inward, and Sonic, Jynx, and Courage leaped up. Sonic took on one half of the pack while Courage tried to fight the rest off from a distance with her bow. Jynx stayed back. She felt useless because she had no powers or weapons; that's what she thought and felt.
When the night began to rise the three looked for a place to settle after their second confrontation with the wolves. Jynx discovered a peaceful clearing and they all retired. As Jynx dreamed she found herself in a strange place where a voice whispered in her head. "Who's there?" she asked.
"Look into the pool." the voice told her. Jynx approached the pool. "What do you see?" the voice asked. "I see mountains covered in snow, but why is this place so important?" she questioned. "It is where you and your friends will find the black."
"What are you talking about? Who are you?"
"Jynx, Jynx wake up."
"Courage? But the-"
"You were talking in your sleep."
"The-- I saw." Courage went back to sleep as well as Jynx, who was confused. The following morning Jynx told them of her dream and Sonic suggested they head for Ice Peak.
"Why does the voice want us to go there?" asked Courage in a confused voice.
"I don't know, it said that is where we'd find 'the black' " quoted Jynx.” 'The Black’?" repeated Courage.
"Maybe it means Robotnik's army of jet black hedgehogs." mentioned Sonic. "We'll just have to see for ourselves." said Jynx while they approached the cold mountains.
Chapter 3
"How do we know where we're going?" the cold wind blew through Courage's fur.
"She's right," added Jynx, "You can't see through a blizzard!" the snow began to fall heavier, and the wind blew colder and stronger
"Don't worry," said Sonic with enthusiasm, "I think I see a cave up a-HEAD!" he yelled. "Sonic?" Jynx looked around and walked forward. "COURAGE!" she yelled. "What the?" Courage attempted to see through the thick blizzard. She lost her footing and fell down a cliff.
"Augh! You’re on my back!" moaned Sonic.
"Sorry Sonic." apologized Jynx as she got off of Sonic. Then afterwards, Courage fell on Sonic's back. "Ow..."
"Oh sorry Sonic." Courage got off. "At least we're out of the blizzard." Courage pointed out. "Yeah but now we're in a deep ditch." added Sonic as he picked himself up from the ground.
"I think I see a cave!" exclaimed Jynx. "Let’s take a look." Courage peered her head inside the entrance. Within she saw many tunnels. "It's like an underground passage." Courage entered, and the others followed.
"Where do these things lead to?" asked Sonic in general. "Look," yelled Courage, "this path leads up! Maybe it's the way out of here." "Should we try it?" asked Jynx. "Yeah why not? We're lost anyway." said Sonic and they began to walk through the tunnel.
Tack!
"Did you here something?" asked Jynx looking behind her as the others carried on in front.
"It was probably a pebble falling." answered Courage. "Yeah...a pebble." repeated Jynx. Another noise struck. All of them heard it. Suddenly, something pounced onto Jynx, but the tunnel was to dark to tell what. "Agh! What are these things?" screamed Jynx as more came.
"Hold still Jynx!" Sonic searched through the darkness for the attackers. Going down the tunnel he saw a large quantity of small, red eyes. "They're gone." said Sonic with calmly.
"Jynx are you okay?" asked Courage. Thud! Jynx hit the ground and was sliding down teh tunnel. Courage pushed her way toward her. Once she grasped her friend's hand; she began to pull her back up. "Sonic, carry Jynx into the clearing up ahead." ordered Courage.
Sonic laid Jynx down gently. She was covered in small scratches and bites with a larger, swollen bite on her ankle. "She's hurt badly." said Sonic while Courage entered the clearing. "We'll have to stay here," said Courage, "it's still blizzardous outside and way too cold."
Jynx moaned, the bite on her ankle was swelling. "It may be infected." Courage examined the bite carefully. "Will she be okay?" asked Sonic. "I wish I knew..."
A voice called in Courage's head.
"Who's there? Where is this?" asked Courage. Is this the voice that talked to Jynx? thought Courage.
"Come forth Courage. I know you want to help your friend." said the voice. "But how can I help her? We're in the Ice Peaks because you brought us there." replied Courage looking down into the pool of water. "It is the chosen path. Now Courage, what do you see in the water?" asked the voice. "I see a web and a flower," she replied, "but what are they for?" "Use the webs to stop the bleeding and the flower to stop the infection." the voice left. "But where?"She called.
"Courage, what's wrong?" asked Sonic. "You were-"
"Talking in my sleep.” she interrupted. "Hurry Jynx's bite is getting infected! We have to find webs and an orange flower." "In a cave?" asked Sonic confusingly. "I think," she replied, “just look everywhere!" they split up.
Courage took a western tunnel where she found lots of webbing. When she returned to the clearing she saw that the bite was swelling more.
"Courage." moaned Jynx. "You're going to be okay Jynx. Sonic and I are going to stop the infection." said Courage softly. "Thank you Courage." replied Jynx in a gentle voice.
"Courage I found these by a stream down the east tunnel." said Sonic with excitement as he entered the clearing. "Ok bring them here." answered Courage. "We may have to stay here one last night."
"Think you're ready?" asked Courage. "Yes." replied Jynx, The blizzard had ended and the three were ready to continue their adventure. Courage had successfully stopped the infection, and they waited one more night for it to heal. Sonic had to carry Jynx because the snow piled up too high. The sun was covered by clouds as they made their way through the pass. Courage hoped it wouldn't snow again.
"Do you know where you three are going?" a voice asked.
"Whose there?" called Sonic. A gray-blue wolf with sliver eyes stepped out before them. "Taz, at your service." the wolf answered.
"What do you mean?" asked Courage.
"Taz?" asked Jynx. "Taz the Swift?" "Princess Jynx!" Taz ran up to Sonic and Jynx. "It has been long Princess." he said. "What?" asked Sonic with confusion. "I travel these mountains guiding lost travelers," responded Taz, "Jynx and her parents once came through here." "You were so much smaller than." Jynx pointed out happily.
"Wait, Taz have you seen Doctor Robotnik around here?" asked Courage. "Doctor Robotnik? I do not think so," said Taz, "but there was a strange building put up. It's a little far North; I could show you if you like." he offered.
"That might help." said Sonic. "Are you sure you don't mind Taz?" asked Jynx. "Not at all. It would be my pleasure!" convinced Taz excitingly. He began leading them through the snowy mountains. Courage was surprised that Jynx knew the wolf. She never told her about it. They told each other everything. It doesn't really matter thought Courage. She continued to follow Taz.
Chapter 4
Jynx looked out the cave into the vast, cold mountains. She enjoyed meeting her old friend again, but wondered how he could thrive here. There was something different about Taz since they first met. She could not tell what, but there was something. The night chilled wind blew through her fur. Her ankle was fully healed now thanks to Courage, and she wondered how she knew what to do.
"Hm?" Sonic woke up. "Everything alright Jynx?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, "I'm just having trouble sleeping." "Still worried about Calcatar?" he asked as he sat next to her." Jynx hesitated. "That but...It's the battle against Doctor Robotnik's army."
"What about?"
"I-I feel useless."
"Useless?"
"I can't help fight a battle Sonic--I'm not like you or Courage."
"Well th-"
"If none of this had ever happened, I'd still be at the palace.
"Your not useless Jynx, your not even helpless," encouraged Sonic, "tomorrow I can show you different ways for battling." he went back to sleep. They were still so far from their destination.
Taz continued leading the following morning. Jynx was listening very carefully to all the things Sonic she could do in battle.
"Have any questions?" asked Sonic.
"No, thank you so much Sonic." answered Jynx then she hugged him. Suddenly, the sky turned dark, and loud, horrifying screeches could be heard. Five large bat-like creatures landed in front of the four friends.
"What are these things?" asked Courage backing away from the front.
"Nightwings!" growled Taz. "Stand back, I'll handle this!" "I can help." offered Sonic taking a step forward. "No," protested Taz, "I have to do this." he finished silently, and then Sonic stepped back to his original position. The middle Nightwing threw a small shining object at Taz's claws. As he looked down at it, Jynx saw a feeling inside him. A feeling of hate and revenge.
Taz looked at the object from the snow. He tossed it up into the air, and it landed safely on his neck. He lunged at the middle Nightwing with his claws unsheathed. After he scratched out it's left eye, he sank his teeth into the beat's neck. As it fell to the ground, Taz moved onto the next. Once Taz jumped in front of the third, it raised it's sharp, massive claw. Everything seemed slow while Jynx watched the Nightwing slash Taz and throwing him away.
Sonic and Courage challenged the remaining Nightwings, but Jynx rushed over to her injured friend. "Taz, Taz are you okay?" asked Jynx with worry as she skimmed over is limb body. "Jynx...those Nightwing's they-" Taz moaned in pain. The snow surrounding him was turning red. A Nightwing loomed over them, preparing to strike, when Courage shot a flaming arrow at it. "They what?" asked Jynx. "They killed my family when I was a pup." Taz forced his final words out. "The medallion stands for faith and friendship-- take it Jynx. I wish you and your friends success." his eyes sealed.
"Jynx we have to get out of here," Courage grabbed her, "those Nightwings won't go down!" Courage pulled Jynx away from her friend while Sonic was still attempting to fight off the Nightwings. He ran off after they passed him; Jynx watched Taz's body as the Nightwing's finished it off.
Chapter 5
"It's a dead end!" stated Courage as she looked down into the broken passage.
"But it's the only path there!" informed Jynx approaching the edge. "Is there anyway around?" asked Courage. She hoped to find a way while the snowfall was light. It would be harder finding their way to the mysterious place without Taz guiding them. Courage noticed how upset Jynx was; she always gripped onto the medallion Taz offered to her.
Courage however never knew what losing someone important felt like because of her being an orphan. She tried hard to imagine what it could feel like to lose someone close. Jynx has lost her parents and now her old friend. I won't let my best friend and closest sister down thought Courage.
"Hey anyone there!" called a voice. "Courage look." called Jynx. Courage went over to a small gap to the right where Sonic was stuck. "How is he going to get out?" she asked. "I'm not stuck," said Sonic, "I found a way around the gap." he continued through the narrow passage; Jynx and Courage followed. There was something mysterious about the passage. Was this recently made? thought Courage.
"Jynx look out!" warned Courage as she fought off one of the smaller Nightwings. The passage was never completed. The three dug through into the Nightwings' nest. Courage saw Sonic attempting to take on three of the largest Nightwings. Is he crazy? He's going to got himself mauled! thought Courage.
She sent flaming arrows at the large beasts' heads. Suddenly there was a silent moment. Courage felt a slash which she thought was within her. She slowly turned around, and lifted her head into cold bloodthirsty Nightwing. She glanced down at its claw to find blood.
Courage slowly crawled to an out of reach gap, away from the beast. In the reflection of the ice, she saw three large claw gashes spread across her back.. "Jynx!" she hollered. Jynx looked back and heard her call. Before Courage would let Jynx know what happened, she handed Jynx her bow and quiver. "I'm going to stay here until its over." said Courage as she turned to show Jynx her back.
Jynx headed back to the battle, and Courage carefully laid her back onto the cold snow to numb the pain. She watched Sonic fight the Nightwings fiercefully. She wondered how he could still continue in combat with so many injuries. The largest Nightwings began spitting balls of black, poisoness flames. Courage observed Sonic elude everything targeting him. As he avoided a small, round bullet of fire, a much larger, darker one hit Sonic off guard. Courage scoured the battle for Jynx; she didn't know Sonic had just been hit.
I have to let Jynx know thought Courage. She removed some cloth strips from her sandals, and carefully wrapped them over her back's wounds. Limping toward her friend, Courage was slashed back by a neutral sized Nightwing. She could feel the beast's cold, stare and knew it was going to finish her off.
Chapter 6
The creature wailed highly in pain when the blazing arrow pierced its face. Jynx rushed over to Courage and pulled her away from the battle.
"Courage are you alright?" asked Jynx as she examined Courage's fresh injuries.
"Sonic! He keeps fighting, but he can't take anymore pain." warned Courage. Out of the seven Nightwings present only two were gone. Jynx discovered Sonic under the larger ones. He was in a serious amount of injuries, and his fight appeared at its peak. "Sonic we have to get out of here!" she informed. Instead of hearing Sonic's reply, she heard the Nightwings speak. What's happening? She asked herself. Then there was another screech. A dark Nightwing fell through the area's sky opening, drenched in blood.
"They're coming." warned the wounded one weakly. The others immediately took off into the sky, away from their nest.
Jynx peered up and saw dark creatures. Their eyes blood red, and their wings torn. "Let's get out of here Jynx." said Courage weakly as she lifted herself from the snow. With many injuries, they all somehow found the strength to go back through that passage. "Ugh..." moaned Courage. Jynx caught up with her and laid her down on the side of the tunnel. "Your bandages are soaked." said Jynx as she tore off a strip from the bottom of her dress. "How are you holding up Sonic?" she asked as she tended to Courage.
"I'm fine." he answered while resting on the side. "Your arm," Jynx looked at the rest of his injuries, “it’s the worst." "I'll be okay Jynx. Take care of Courage." he insisted. Once Jynx finished, they continued through the passage until they arrived at their first dead end.
"Look over here," said Courage as she walked over the left side of the gap, “this leads to the other side." "Are you sure?" asked Jynx. Courage walked through and appeared across the gap; Jynx and Sonic quickly followed. "To bad we couldn't find this is this first place." sighed Jynx. "Did you here something?" asked Sonic. He dropped down to the snow and placed his ear against the ground. "No," said Jynx, "but doesn't the snow feel...warmer?" they were all confused. Suddenly the ground was melting, and the three travelers were in the middle of it.
"Look out for the magma below!" warned Courage for she was last to fall through to the underground place filled with lava. "Oomph!" said Sonic as he fell on the rock. "Where is this?" asked Jynx.
"This is Lava Springs." informed a small creature emerging from the lava. "Who are you?" asked Courage. "I'm Firedrop-a magma slug." "Is there a way out of here?" asked Sonic as he got up. "No." he replied and went back into the lava. "There has to be." said Sonic. They continued up the rocky path. "I'm sure there's a way out!" repeated Sonic. Jynx had a thought that Firedrop was right. After they turned a corner up the hot path, two blazing creatures seized them.
Chapter 7
"What is this place?" asked a voice.
"Welcome young one." a voice called from afar. "Who are you? Who am I? Why am I here?" asked the creature. "So many questions; you have not yet been brought into this world. I have taken you through time so you can travel to another time span to help creatures you will know far in the future." the voice explained. "This doesn't make sense; I've been brought from a future time. So the time I'm traveling to--I don't exist there?" asked the creature. "Precisely. You must help the three who have been taken control of over the flames, ice, and earth." said the voice. "How will I know who?" the creature continued with questions. "You will know." There area was bright. The creature was sure that it was going to where the voice wanted it to travel to. "Wait! You haven't answered who I am!" the creature called. "Flair." the voice said in a silent voice.
As the creature landed in the land it thought Flair over and over. The creature arrived in a cold place surrounded by tall, hard looking objects covered in a white substance. Other creatures came toward Flair.
"What do you think you're doing in the Earth Kingdom territory?" asked a brown creature.
"We don't need to ask this rodent questions! Let's just take him to Lord BoulderRoot!" the green creature grabbed Flair and they left the scene.
Chapter 8
"My Lord, Firedrop reported one of my guards of these intruders." a blazing creature, who had the appeals of a puma, reported.
"Thank you Magmawall, continue you original assignments." ordered the leader.
"Y-You are LavaStep?" asked Jynx. "Who are you?" LavaStep asked. "I am Princess Jynx of Calcatar. My father, King Multeer, had once told me about a leader of lava and flames."
"Sorry to interrupt," Sonic stepped forth, “but we really need the way out." "And you are?" "Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog." he answered. "Of course! Anything for Mobius' Hero." A different guard came forth with an odd object. "Before we escort you out, Sonic, have something in our appreciation." when LavaStep finished, the guard snapped the object onto Sonic's left wrist. It was a black ring with flaming designs.
The guard stopped at a point outside from the Lava Kingdom.
"Good luck getting through the pass." the guard started back. About twenty paces from where they were left alone, the ring began sending out small flames. Then sealed itself tighter around Sonic's wrist, and began burning him. He dropped to the cold, snowy ground and yelled in pain.
"Look--a war prisoner of the Lavas."
"They used their boundary shackle too." Three ice creatures approached Sonic.
"What are you?" asked Courage.
"We're patrollers of the Ice Kingdom." the third stepped up from them.
"Can you do anything to help him?" asked Jynx as she knelt down beside Sonic.
"We can't do anything now, he has to be taken to the Ice Kingdom." the first explained.
"We will have to make camp far from the border, it's getting late."
"His wrist will burn." Courage pointed out.
The icy creatures didn't respond, and led the three travelers away from the border. The moon was rising, the temperature was dropping. The patrollers were leading them to a small gap in the mountains, similar to a cave but without tunnels. Courage could tell Sonic wasn't going to get any better; his wrist was burnt to the third degree, and could get worse. When they reached the gap one of the patrollers put a transparent segment of cloth over Sonic's charred wrist.
"What does that do?" Jynx asked with curiosity.
"It keeps it cool and heals the burn temporarily."
TBC