#stone island shadow project

[theridge1979]

[closetofcuriosities]

Stone Island Shadow Project AW18 - Scarabeo Utility Anorak

[grrl-beetle]

Stone Island Shadow Project

[erikbjerkesjo]

#ErikBjerkesjö footwear work for Shadow Project #StoneIsland

[eldrith]

ғʀᴏᴍ ᴇᴅᴇɴ ; ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏɴᴇ.

ʜᴏɴᴇʏ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ғᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀ ; ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍʏ ᴍɪʀʀᴏʀ ʏᴇᴀʀs ᴀɢᴏ

jacaerys velaryon x fem!reader words: 3.1k synopsis: jacaerys falls for a woman in aegon's garden. notes: happy haunting season! here's part one (more of an introduction or prologue) to my october mini-series! a little horror love-letter from me to youse <3 so many thanks to my beautiful sweet brains @useralba & @dipperscavern ... dippy fetched my header for me & they basically co-wrote this whole concept. chapter warnings: this is The Most Normal™️ part out of the whole series so not much. canon-typical mentions of death/grief, but jace is thugging it out. morally gray jacaerys (& reader) throughout the story, though hes p normal in this. series masterlist. main masterlist.

A SHARP ACHE PIERCES JACAERYS’S MIND. 

It has lingered, ebbing and flowing in the corner of his vision since the news came by raven this afternoon; whispers of fury, nostrils flared around the Painted Table as gasps of shuddered grief echoed in the dusting quiet. A gust of sharp wind blows his curls from his temple, his lips wettened and chilled by the cold of eve. 

Soil turns soft underfoot as Jacaerys stalks down a trail less frequented; the Outer Bailey of Dragonstone Castle is thick with land, and yet rather sparse in people - most of whom are within tubs. Or, more likely, tending to those within the tubs - though tonight, as much as it can be afforded, he wishes not to not remain within those suffocating walls.

Walls which still echo, in the slumbering quiet when candles are all snuffed and guards repose drearily against stone, with laughter and footsteps of his kin; walls which whisper of doves, wings clipped and soiled by blood of innocent, by hatred stale and harbored.

Walls which used to hold his family - which now cage the fragmented remainder of such a thing; of tense jaws and eyes that cannot help but glaze over each other in pursuit of some long predetermined destiny. 

He sniffs against the chill of the evening, rather disturbed by the beauty, raw and wild, of the island - steep cliffs clumped by wildgrass and staggering up into sharp black slates, which yawn high into the sky; the Mont, steeping with heat and nesting ancient beasts within its belly.

And the garden, just ahead - a primordial thing, once shining and primed by the glory of a beautiful empire. When he'd stormed from the council room, he'd been rather dead-set upon the garden - if only in a bout of frustration lingering in the denial of his mother, yet projected as a sharp mind ache that laid somewhere in the bowels of Aegon's Garden. Searching for a figure, one that likely exists in only his imagination - the one he's seen through bleary eyes of his chamber window, dancing through leaves and past faces of stone; their presence a low hum in the back of his mind that pierces and grates against his resolve.

The castle’s hearths burn low now after supper, and the eve falls dreary upon quiet ocean-misted moors. His footsteps drag untenanted, burdened by the weight of some distant crown as he clenches tight to his pommel. 

Those empty feet had indeed carried him all the way down from the tower; past guards and faces familiar, as though his mind was tethered to a memory, a shadow flickered in the distance of his chamber window.

The cliffs are black in the fall of night, the walls of the keep warm but crumbling in the lower Baileys. The Sept - a rather forgotten relic these days - has a soft glow from within; though through the thickening fog, Jacaerys wonders if the figures he sees within are truly there. 

Silent Sisters, his mind whispers, though there is no body reclaimed for them to prepare. She lies with the Red Queen still; a war without bodies, though he fights the thought from festering - no bones to wrap, no flesh to burn. Only names, which will die on the tongues of those who are too agonized, too vengeful to mourn.  

The trail is unkempt; it is not often the inhabitants of the island come to the Garden, less so now that looming war plagues the realms. Death grasps Dragonstone Castle in its implacable grip these days; and anger, that hungry beast that bites at the tail of revenge - it ravages his house. 

He has known since the very first moon they came to Dragonstone, all that time ago - in the earlier years; Luke, Joff, and himself - stumbling over hilts longer than their legs, watching the spiraling towers of Dragonstone become swallowed by thick clouds. And there had been Maester Gerardys, in the first of many lessons to come round the table, tone imbued with something rather distant, gaze fixed upon the window. 

Even now, years later, Jacaerys knows that the ground he walks is tainted - the Dragonmont looms, its acidic breaths falling in years over toppling years, watching Dragon Kings rise and leave for their birthright; and yet still it remains, sprinkling its volcanic acids to leech into the earth below.

The soil the castle was built upon is imbued with the very acid that grows beneath the island’s crust - and from it, the plants in Aegon’s Garden now grow unruly, unbidden; No longer tended to by hands familiarized with their needs. 

The soil is rich, Maester Gerardys had looked out the sharp window in the drum, eyes weathered as the skies. But even when the Conqueror landed, it was unfit for nurturing life. We eat not from the fruit which grows from this side of the island. The blooms stay within their home, and return with each cycle of life back into the ground. 

Evening fog swallows the burst of trees on the other side of the Thorned Dragon; it twists into the sky high enough that Jacaerys can see the horns through the iron gates to the garden. Fresh sprouts crawl out of the earth from under the wall, curled with the kiss of frost which visits each evening and thawed by the island's sun come each morning. Life into death.

The circle turns. 

The gates to the garden are marred with the same rust that crawls up the chains lining the Western Docks; Jacaerys grasps the cold metal and pushes through with surprising ease. 

A creak of groaning metal. Trees are gnarled; they twist and wind down the path that he walks, his mind lingering up in the thick clouds - a faint gust sends the scent of smoke through his nose. 

Dragonfire. 

A clench within his chest; the falling of the Queen Who Never Was echoes in his mind, the fluttering of raven’s wings, the whisper in a chamber much too empty for all the people who occupied it - and a suppression of the stab of loss which threatens to crawl out his throat. 

The garden is bright, despite the falling daylight. It bursts with untamed indigenous flora, thick with the air of blossoms - roses, red and thorned; bark, dampened upon twisted trees older than his mother’s mother, rough under his palms. Stoned statues loom with twisted grins in the half-light, some relic of his ancestors which turn now to mock him in his solitary march.  

Jacaerys’s breath comes out in a puff of fogged chill - the evening brings a cool seabreeze, although his heart has always beat rather warm.

 A gentle caress seems to bring forth a curling smile from a bushel of red anemone blossoms as he passes - a twitch of a grin upon his own lips though the lingering feeling of walking deeper into a shadow looms within his mind. 

Any semblance of peace is disrupted at the slither of fabric around a lingering statue of a melancholy ancestor, a rustled noise - his heart stops. 

Though his mind is muddled with tumult, there is some life breathed back into him when he catches a glimpse of shining tresses around a tall thorny hedge, and the snaking curl of dress skirts around the bottom; and so he begins to stalk after the scent of earth, of some deep turn of late summerfruit. 

Another flicker of movement, a rustle in the vines; and still he follows, heart slamming as the clouds roll over the sunlight. 

In the deeper part of the garden lies the Thorned Dragon - a once-wonderful iron statue which now crawls with thick vines and time-bitten rusted holes; though below sits stoned benches for respite.

And there Jacaerys halts his footsteps, deadening at the sight before him. 

Concealed, only the whisper of skirts near hidden feet, strands of glowing hair, the peek of one timid eye thickened by long wisps - of a brow that arches, peeking only just so from beside the iron Dragon. 

A young woman. 

“Hello.” His voice is schooled with confidence - this is his island, after all. 

The sun glints in a sharp fight against the rolling clouds; the foggy cloud around his feet swirl as he carries himself with curiosity - it is unusual for Housestaff to venture into such a place. At his voice, there is a flicker, a twitch - slither of skirts until his gaze meets the pair of wide eyes. 

You stand on legs doelike and unsure, bent slightly at the hips as if prepared to skitter away at the slightest of movement; and he, with a skip in his heart at the glow of your skin, the flutter of lashes upon sweet cheeks. 

“Hello,” you echo his very essence, voice a mirror of his own tone though syrupy and curling with the warmth of summerfall. 

He is struck at once by your beauty. 

A breeze picks up; the scent of rich earth beneath his boots, the thick blooms even in so chill a climate. Skirts blown back gently, your hair rustles against the wind and he finds the soft beauty upon your visage arresting. 

Your feet are bare. His brows drawn, he moves just slightly, cloak fluttering in the wind; and you, watching with owlish eyes as he nods cordially, struck with the natural compulsion to greet you with proper manners. 

“I am Jacaerys,” he is rather unsure why he omits Prince from his introduction - though with a pang of storm clouds looming in his mind, he dwells not. 

Indeed it matters little, for you offer some sudden beaming smile - a bright thing, a leap from his heart at such a blessing from the Gods as you have been given; and you nod gently, lips glistened and pale. 

A sharp smile, something that would seem coy, unpropitious if not for the small flash of kindness that lingers in your stare. 

“-Jacaerys Velaryon,” you finish, dropping into a curtsey that brings about a slight glide of interest over your form; he chastises himself sharply in his head, bowing back. 

A Houseworker, then, though he’s never seen you in the halls; nor has he seen a maid or cook wear such material of their gowns. He reclines upon a stone bench; you follow after he invites you kindly, your eyes skittering over the fine folds of his tailored clothing, lingering on the line of his jaw, then hooking rather intently on the dragon upon his chest. Your own dress seems to shift with the light - it is white, then gray, then a near muted purple; it fits with the glow of your chest, with the glint in your eyes.  

You tell him your name then and it lodges itself warm and wanting into the cavity of his chest. It drips with the glazed sweetness of blooms left in the care of the sun and preserved in the chill of shade.  

Pines linger tall around you; a sea of green, though the true thing lies far in the distance, its tidal breath a slow roll in the evening air. Your fingers are lithe as they trace over a spiny vine hanging off the Thorned Dragon; and yet, peculiarly, you give no hiss as you press your thumb down against a thorn - in fact, your lips curl into a quick grin, eyes dark in interest when the thorn nearly pierces your flesh.

“-Why are you here?” His question is one rather improper, though he finds himself perturbed and cannot bring himself to feel remarkably bad. Indeed, your dreamy hum silences any doubt that may linger in the back of his mind, “It was my assumption not many come to Aegon's Garden anymore.” He admits. 

And something about his words must be amusing to you; a grin that you hide with a tilt of your head, your hand leaving the thorn on the vine. He can smell the scent of your hair; a honeyed thing, a gentle thing. A sweet thing. 

“I tend to it,” you murmur, voice gentle as a psalm, though your eyes flicker off towards the peak of a twisted treeline upon the far end of the garden, past the murky bog. “-Though sometimes I feel as though it tends to me.” 

Dreamlike, your eyes glaze over - and Jacaerys is left rather uncomfortable against the cooling stone. A foreboding prickles at the edge of his mind; and as fog creeps towards the shore each morning, he has a sudden urge to back away from your curling chill - there is something familiar within your lilt, in the way your eyes shift under dappled sunlight. His aunt had much similar a tone when they were young; with fingers that slid between bars of small cages, prodding creatures which nuzzled back against her, musing words that never quite strung together right. 

“And you?” You add now, fingers cupped within your lap. His brows draw as you murmur again, “What brings you here, my Prince?” 

Behind your shoulder is the long path narrowed by closing hedges, by twisted trees and creeping vines untamed and wild with life; with life, a part of him rejoices silently, life, though so much death looms over Dragonstone these days. 

His hesitation lingers in the quiet thick fog that creeps through the grass. “I’m…” His brows furrow, a sudden cloud of amnesia confusing weighing his tongue. He feels almost blank, save for the sweet scent of you beside him. 

“...I don’t know.” 

A flicker of your visage in his peripheral, as if you’ve moved - though when he turns to your countenance once more, he wonders if the sharp, darkly unnerving smile that had flashed onto your face was only in his mind. It unsettles him deeply within his stomach as your eyes remain upon his, muscles lax, as though the smile you’d given earlier was the first in years. 

His mind is too clouded - Rooks Rest has weighed heavy on the tongues of the council today, though it seems it weighs even heavier so on the mind. He must be rather exhausted. 

 “I…” He struggles once more, unsettled by the false image of that hungry grin, gaze focused upon the soil, fresh and puffy below his boots. “I thought I was…looking for something.” It is said absently, straining to recall his initial intentions - and it feels only slightly incorrect. 

You do not say anything to this, and for the sake of his nerves, he pretends to ignore the growing smile slow over your countenance in the corner of his vision.

In a breeze cooler than expected, his unnerved eyes rise to the Castle - up, to the window of his own chambers high within the spire of the Stone Drum with such direct view of the garden, of this very statue. 

Gulls cry in the distance; the blooms overgrown above your head seem to droop, as if bowing towards your companionship. A beauty Jacaerys has never once fathomed; though he is momentarily distracted by the movement of your hands, once so still within your lap. 

It is with surprise when he finds your fingers delicately peeling away at some foreign fruit, revealing the glistening flesh within - and your lips, wettened with your tongue as you pluck at the tissue of its skin. 

A heaviness in his throat, muddled bewilderment leaking through the cracks of his mind; though any true alarm melts away as you slowly bring the fruit to your gentle, awaiting lips, its crimson juice staining your fingers. 

Slow bites, teeth sinking into tender flesh in the stillness of the bright garden; and Jacaerys, transfixed upon the glow of your skin, the gentle sigh from your chest at the taste. It is bizarre he has never once seen you here - perhaps you are new to the island; with the influx of residents within the castle, it has provided ample new jobs for the smallfolk around. He is certain he’d have remembered such arresting eyes. 

It is a sight so innocent, yet so incredibly salacious in its sudden intensity - he finds it a battle to cast away his gaze; his toes drag through the dirt upon the earth, watching the sprouts bounce back upwards once the pressure of his presence is relieved. 

“Have you ever had one?” Your voice curls through fog, some sweet melody that startles him. His cheeks are flushing red, though you are much too enraptured with the fruit, lips stained dark as wine. “-A fig,” you mend, an afterthought as your eyes rise once more to the larger of the trees deep in the gardens; and a buzzing haze that creeps through Jace’s mind as the empty shell falls from your fingers onto the ripe dirt below. 

He watches it lie to rest, bespeckled with the damp dark of soil. 

The circle turns. 

His mouth is dry, and he struggles to swallow; “No,” he admits, clouded by déjà vu and a sudden, mild perplexity. “I haven’t.” 

Your lips curve into that slow, knowing smile once more - less unsettling when it is fixed upon his gaze this time. Your fingers trace the smooth skin of another fig before your palm extends, offering it with a slight tilt of your head. “They are divine,” your words lilt, syllables sung out into the garden’s thick air. Divine. 

And gods, you are divine - an arresting thought, one that jolts him out of the trance he’d so unwittingly tumbled into - and with a blink, he hesitates. 

A half-remembered tale told in the dim light of hearths drawn moons, years ago - and he shakes his head, the thought of food at a time like this rather sickening. “Where did you get them?” he wonders instead of accepting, though your palm remains outstretched, enticing. There is a thrumming in his ears, though he realizes with a start that his headache has ceased. 

“They come from me,” you reply coyishly; though there is some glint in your eyes, some shift of the breath you take - and he looks away just before that smile reclaims your face.

A strange girl, he decides. A strange girl, yet quite endearing. 

He cannot help the smile he returns to you, a short chuckle, mostly out of nerves from him which is echoed rather enthusiastically, nearly unsettling in its fervor, by you.

His heart beats faster, though he cannot say why - his lips are wettened by the prod of his tongue, and he pretends not to notice the flush upon your hollowed cheeks, nor the way your head seems to dip lower to observe his countenance. 

“No, thank you,” he declines, voice barely a whisper; and his eyes search yours, your name echoing heavy in his mind - so familiar a name. 

Your smile returns, though this time it is sharper; and with darkened eyes, the corners of your lips twitching as if you already knew what his answer would be. When you respond, it is not what he expects. “As you wish, my Prince.” 

And then you bring the last fig to your chest, fingers delicate even when they tear at the little flesh as though you've been starved; his stomach rolls, entranced as a drip of juice rolls down your chin, crimson against your muted skin. 

Night falls. Council will be called soon, he knows - and the bells will be rung though they are barely heard from outside the inner bailey. Jacaerys is hesitant to leave, yet there is a chill that has begun to seep through his bones; a pit that grows within his stomach. Each pulse of his blood through his heart, a bite of your teeth into the fruit of the fig - but he waits until you’ve finished your repast to clear his throat. 

“I must return,” he decides, a strike of hesitance at your look, that kind stare that flickers in the death of sunlight.

You hesitate as he rises, just for a moment - and then, leaning forward as crimson fingers grasp the stone bench, your smile drops. A fleeting thing, a sparrow upon a windowsill, a hummingbird through the morning air.

 “Thank you, Prince Jacaerys.” 

His brows furrow; and you, staring up at him with a gaze so unalloyed, so pure - a lingering darkness in his chest that grows each day of unrest cooped up in his coddled little nest within the island. 

Though he smiles only gently back at you - a twist of soft pity that bleeds into an odd affection for such a sweet stranger; a much needed respite from the faces much too familiar and suffocating in the choking smoke of war and duty. 

“I suppose I find myself rather lonely,” you confess, eyes dropping to stare at the figs that now rest in your lap - a blink from Jacaerys at the sight of them, once more bewildered at their presence. “Not many come to the garden anymore. I worry I tend to it only for myself these days.” 

Jacaerys finds himself rather uneasy - there is that guilt that coils familiar, a serpent squeezing his stomach. The circle turns, he thinks.  

“I will have to return then, my lady.” He feels rather uneven on his feet, “This garden is quite beautiful.” 

And if you bristle at his assumption of your title, you do not show it; an absent look has plagued your seraphic features, leaving you with shallow breaths and a plumped lower lip. “I would hope so, Jacaerys.”

For a dreadful moment, he fears you might begin to cry; a stoke of regret and pity through him. Though it is quelled rather abruptly as you snap up, eyes staring down the row of hedges behind him before returning to his own, much more warm than before.  

You hold his gaze for a horrible few breaths - and he knows not what to do, as you sit faraway and dreamlike, your hair moving in a breeze he cannot feel.

“Are you turning in soon?” He wonders, unable to quell his curiosity - he cannot imagine your duties much require you to extend your services into the dark of night, though he admittedly has paid less than staunch attention to the Housestaff as of late.

Your eyes remain distant, though a soft wisp of a smile grows as you rise to your height, standing oddly against the vines which creep down towards you. 

You look back beyond his shoulder, a glint of firelight in your eyes though the sun still whispers its last stretches of breath across the indigo sky.

“Not so soon, I'm afraid. The roses need pruning,” you sigh. “I detest thorns.”

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[antinousletmehit]

helo i come with a humble request

antinous x fem! reader who’s also a knight of ithaca (first and only fem knight so wooo history (totally not projecting off my epic oc—)) oneshot where reader’s had a long ass day and is too tired to deal with his bs so antinous just kinda comforts them in his own way (soft :])

୨୧┇pairing: Antinous x reader

────୨ৎ───��� ────୨ৎ──── ───

The great hall of the Ithacan palace was quiet, the evening settling over the island like a comforting blanket. The faint flicker of torches illuminated the stone walls, casting soft shadows that danced across the space. You sat at one of the long wooden tables, your armor discarded beside you, leaving you in just your undershirt. Your shoulders slumped, and your head rested in your hands.

“You look like death warmed over.”

The familiar, smug voice made you groan before you even looked up. Antinous strolled into the hall, his usual confident swagger making him impossible to miss. He leaned casually against the table, arms crossed as he smirked down at you. “What do you want, Antinous?” you muttered, too tired to muster any real annoyance.

He raised an eyebrow. “What, no witty comeback? No snarky comment about me being a pain in the ass? You must be tired.” You shot him a halfhearted glare but didn’t respond. Instead, you slumped further into your seat, resting your forehead against the cool wood of the table.

Antinous frowned, his usual arrogance faltering. He wasn’t used to seeing you like this, so utterly defeated. After a moment of hesitation, he cleared his throat and awkwardly sat down beside you. “So, uh…tough day?” he asked, his tone uncharacteristically tentative.

You gave a small, humorless laugh. “You could say that.” Antinous drummed his fingers on the table, clearly out of his element. “Well, uh…you’re still alive, right? So, you know…that’s something.”

You lifted your head just enough to give him a flat look. “Wow. Inspirational.”

He winced. “Okay, yeah, let me try again.”

You sighed, sitting up and rubbing your temples. “Antinous, you don’t have to—”

“No, no, I’ve got this,” he interrupted, holding up a hand. “Look, you’re…uh… really strong. And brave. And stuff. I mean, you deal with all this knightly nonsense and still manage to… not completely lose your mind.”

You blinked at him, surprised. “That was… kind of nice.”

He grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “See? I can be nice.”

“Don’t get used to it,” you said, a small smile tugging at your lips despite your exhaustion.

He shrugged, and instantly reverting to his usual cocky demeanor. “You know, if you ever want to repay me, I’m always up for a drink or two.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Of course you are.”

[celestial-prime]

Sonic 4 movie. Theories and predictions

Hello everyone! I finally watched Sonic 3, and I can confidently say it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in a movie theater! It had been such a long time since I felt so much emotion and joy watching a film. The last time I experienced these feelings was with Michael Bay’s Transformers movies, especially the fourth and fifth installments. Just like back then, when I was super excited for the next movie, I now have the same anticipation for the fourth Sonic movie.

In the post-credits scene, we saw the first appearances of Metal Sonic and Amy, which already gives us a taste of the continuation of the Sonic live-action franchise. That’s why I’d like to share my theory about what might happen in the next movie and which game from the Sonic saga it might adapt.

AND... Just as Sonic 1 was an adaptation of the first classic game, Sonic 2 represented the second game, and Sonic 3 was based on Sonic Adventure 2, I believe the fourth movie will also follow this adaptation formula.

My idea is that the fourth movie will be inspired by two games: Sonic CD, where Metal Sonic makes his first appearance, and Sonic Heroes, where Metal Sonic becomes the main antagonist. In Heroes, he evolves into Neo Metal Sonic and later into Metal Overlord, the final boss. I believe the concept of time travel, central to Sonic CD, could be key to the plot of the next movie.

Now, let’s dive into the possible plot of the fourth movie and how the story might unfold.

Probably, Metal Sonic came from the future and returned to the past with the goal of defeating Sonic, driven by frustration at never being able to defeat him definitively. In turn, future Amy, upon discovering Metal Sonic’s plan, decides to also travel to the past to protect him. This could explain the post-credits scene where we see Amy hooded.

This raises some important questions: How did Amy know where Sonic would be, and how did she know who he was? The most logical answer would be that, in the future, Sonic and Amy eventually meet, and she decides to go back in time to save him. Another key point of the potential plot would be the origin of Metal Sonic. After all, who created him, considering that Dr. Eggman died in the ARK explosion in the third movie? While Shadow survived because he’s practically immortal, Eggman is just a regular human, making it extremely unlikely that he escaped.

With that in mind, here are some possibilities regarding Metal Sonic’s creation:

Agent Stone as the Creator:

Stone, loyal to Dr. Eggman, could create Metal Sonic as a way to avenge his mentor’s death. This would continue Stone’s arc, showing how he seeks to keep Eggman’s legacy alive.

G.U.N. and Director Rockwell:

Another possibility is that Director Rockwell, who showed distrust toward Sonic and his team, decides to create Metal Sonic. After the events of the third movie, where the planet was nearly destroyed, she might use Metal Sonic as a weapon to eliminate Sonic, believing that he and his team are too uncontrolled.

Eggman as the Original Creator:

There’s also the possibility that Dr. Eggman created Metal Sonic a long time ago, perhaps after returning to Earth at the beginning of the second movie. However, due to the humiliation he suffered when defeated by Super Sonic, he might have abandoned the use of Metal Sonic and kept the project stored along with other copies. These copies could have been activated later, continuing the storyline.

Any of these options could fit well into the fourth movie’s plot, depending on how the writers choose to proceed with the narrative.

Even though the three movies so far have adapted elements from the game franchise—two from the classics and one from the modern games—they contain many original elements. For example, Sonic’s origin was adapted for the movie, and the story takes place on Earth, not on his home island or planet of origin. Additionally, the Master Emerald wasn’t found on Angel Island but on Earth, and Shadow didn’t live on the ARK in space but also on Earth. So, it’s likely that the fourth movie will also introduce original elements while incorporating important aspects inspired by Sonic CD and Sonic Heroes.

Now, here’s my idea of how the fourth movie’s plot could unfold:

Just like in the second and third movies, Amy could appear after the movie starts, similar to how Tails was introduced in the second movie and Shadow in the third. The movie would likely begin with an introduction to Sonic and his team.

After the boys (Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles) decide to organize another friendly race, Sonic gets too far ahead and ends up in New York City. This becomes even more confusing due to the time difference since he, Knuckles, and Tails live on the other side of the United States with Tom and Maddie. It’s at this point that Metal Sonic and Amy enter, as hinted at in the post-credits scenes.

After Sonic is attacked by Metal Sonic and saved by Amy, he’s full of questions. He wants to know who she is, how she knows his name, and how she knew where to find him. His questions are similar to those he asked Knuckles and Tails when he met them. Amy then explains that she came from the future to help him defeat Metal Sonic once and for all.

With no other choice, Sonic decides to take Amy home. There, he introduces her to the rest of the team, and they begin discussing what’s happening. Amy explains that she came from the future to warn him about Metal Sonic and save him. She details Metal Sonic’s origin, explaining that he’s after Sonic to defeat him once and for all since he couldn’t win in the future. That’s why she followed him to the past, both to warn Sonic and help him in his mission.

With this information, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy decide to form a team to face Metal Sonic. However, upon realizing that their enemy is extremely powerful, Sonic concludes that the only way to defeat him is by using the Master Emerald again to transform into his Super form and destroy him once and for all.

However, there’s a problem: at the end of the last movie, Sonic 3, Sonic lost his Super form while preventing a global catastrophe. During that moment, Shadow was also in his Super form but stayed behind after the final explosion. This caused the Chaos Emeralds to scatter across Earth due to the impact. Now, Team Sonic must gather the Emeralds again to have any chance against Metal Sonic.

Meanwhile, G.U.N. also steps in. After the events of the third movie, the organization begins questioning how Sonic and Shadow were able to prevent such a large-scale catastrophe. They eventually discover the existence of the Chaos Emeralds and, upon understanding their immense power, decide to locate them to keep them "safe." After all, the Master Emerald is seen as an extremely dangerous weapon, capable of turning a person into something close to a god.

This is where Rouge enters the story. As a G.U.N. spy, she’s sent to locate the Chaos Emeralds before Team Sonic. This sets up a race between both sides: Team Sonic needs the Emeralds to save the world and defeat Metal Sonic, while G.U.N. wants to capture them to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands (even though, for Sonic, that includes themselves).

This intense competition between Sonic and his team against G.U.N. adds a layer of tension and urgency to the film, especially since both sides have legitimate motivations for wanting the Emeralds. However, G.U.N.’s belief that Team Sonic isn’t trustworthy might spark conflicts and tense moments between them.

During this race to recover the Chaos Emeralds, Metal Sonic comes into play. He ends up encountering both sides—Team Sonic and G.U.N.—leading to a major battle among everyone, adding more tension to the plot. At this point, Shadow, who still holds a grudge against G.U.N. for what they did to Maria, temporarily joins Team Sonic. His main motivation is to prevent G.U.N. from keeping the Chaos Emeralds, as he believes the organization doesn’t deserve that power.

Since Shadow has a direct connection to Chaos energy, similar to what we saw in Sonic Heroes, Metal Sonic manages to obtain one of Shadow’s quills. He uses the power contained in it to amplify his abilities and eventually evolves into Neo Metal Sonic. By combining Shadow’s power with the Chaos Emeralds, Metal Sonic reaches his final form: Metal Overlord, the final boss in Sonic Heroes.

However, before this happens, G.U.N. manages to capture the Chaos Emeralds, putting them temporarily ahead in the race. At this moment, Rouge, true to her nature as a jewel thief, betrays G.U.N. She steals the Emeralds, but her escape doesn’t go as planned. She soon realizes the situation becomes critical when Metal Sonic, now more powerful, begins transforming into his primitive forms, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Seeing no other choice and recognizing that Team Sonic is the only hope to defeat Metal Sonic, Rouge hands over the Chaos Emeralds to them. With the Emeralds in hand, Team Sonic activates the Master Emerald’s power, allowing Sonic to once again transform into his Super form. With this power, Sonic faces Metal Overlord in an epic final battle.

Shadow’s role at this moment remains uncertain. He might join Sonic in his Super form, as he did at the end of Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes, or he might choose not to intervene directly. Regardless, this battle serves as a major climax for the film, bringing both classic and original elements to the story.

Although the previous films have adapted elements from the games, they’ve also added their own unique ideas, and it’s likely the fourth film will follow the same trend. The movie universe, after all, is separate from the games’ universe, giving the writers creative freedom to develop new stories and explore different dynamics between the characters.

Regarding Shadow’s presence in the fourth film, I believe he’ll play a key role, as his connection to Chaos energy is crucial for Metal Sonic’s transformation into Metal Overlord. Shadow’s involvement would also be an opportunity to further explore his relationship with his past and G.U.N., as well as strengthen the dynamics within the movie universe.

Introducing Rouge, hired by G.U.N. to steal the Chaos Emeralds, would be an excellent way to bring the character into the cinematic universe. This initial role, where she infiltrates as a spy and later betrays G.U.N., demonstrates her cunning and independence while establishing her motivations. By the end of the movie, Rouge could team up with Shadow and Agent Stone to form the famous Team Dark, opening doors for future storylines.

As for Omega, his introduction would be a bit more complicated. However, one possibility could be Agent Stone reactivating one of Dr. Eggman’s old robots, as Omega was originally created by Eggman to serve as a guardian and companion. This idea would fit well with the theme of reclaiming Eggman’s legacy in the movie, but his presence would need to be carefully balanced to avoid overwhelming the story.

Introducing too many characters in the fourth movie could be a challenge. While it’s exciting to expand the cast, it’s essential to keep the story’s main focus: the showdown between Metal Sonic and Sonic. In the first three movies, new characters were introduced in a balanced way, always keeping Sonic at the center. This balance ensured that Sonic’s protagonism remained intact, even with the addition of significant figures like Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow.

Therefore, while Rouge and Shadow’s presence seems essential, adding more characters like Omega could be challenging without diverting attention from the main plot. It’s important that the movie continues to highlight Sonic as the main hero, ensuring that new additions complement the story rather than overwhelm it.

The dynamic between Sonic and Amy in the fourth movie could indeed follow a friendship and camaraderie approach, similar to what we saw in the Super Mario Bros. animated movie. Just as they portrayed Princess Peach as a strong and independent warrior alongside Mario, Amy could be presented as a powerful and strategically important ally, without forcing a romantic relationship between her and Sonic.

Although Amy is traditionally Sonic’s romantic partner in the games and series, SEGA has already clarified that their relationship isn’t canon. This decision reinforces the creative freedom to adapt the character in the cinematic universe while maintaining the individuality of both characters. Sonic, with his adventurous and carefree personality, would hardly fit into a romantic role in the movies, as it could shift focus from his journey as the protagonist.

In the movie, Amy could be presented as someone who shares the same goals as Sonic, fighting alongside him and his team against threats like Metal Sonic. The post-credits scene of the third movie already gave us a glimpse of her combat skills and confidence, highlighting her iconic hammer as her weapon. This suggests her presence in the fourth movie will be more as a warrior and strategic ally rather than a character dependent on Sonic or hopelessly in love with him.

This approach also creates a more modern and inclusive dynamic for the audience, showing that a female character can be equally strong and independent without being defined by a romantic relationship. A deep friendship and mutual respect between Sonic and Amy could strengthen the development of both characters while maintaining the adventurous and lighthearted tone that characterizes the franchise.

Finally, let’s talk about the possible post-credits scenes of the fourth movie, which always leave clues for the next chapter in the franchise. Since it’s been confirmed that the fourth movie won’t be the last—the idea is to create a quintology (five movies) and not a sextology—it’s very likely that the post-credits scenes of the fourth movie will introduce a new character or hint at the plot of the next movie.

One of the strongest speculations among fans is the possible appearance of Silver the Hedgehog in the post-credits scenes. This would make perfect sense since Silver is a central character in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 game, whose storyline revolves around time travel. Just as Amy and Metal Sonic are essential to the plot of the fourth movie, introducing Silver in the post-credits scenes would be the perfect bridge to address the plot of Sonic 2006 in the fifth movie.

Silver could appear from the future, on a mission to alter past events to save the chaotic future he came from. His arrival would bring new dynamics to the story and expand the Sonic cinematic universe, exploring themes like fighting to change destiny and the challenges of time travel.

However, I prefer not to delve into theories for the fifth movie just yet, as the fourth movie hasn’t even been released. I think it’s better to wait for the official release of the fourth movie to understand the clues they’ll leave behind and then develop more solid theories about what to expect in the fifth film.

And that’s it, everyone! This is my theory for the fourth Sonic movie. I know some ideas might seem a bit out of the box, but as we’ve seen in the first three movies, they don’t exactly follow the stories from the games. There are many original additions and changes to fit the Sonic universe into the cinematic narrative, and I believe the same will happen in the next film.

If you’ve read this far, thank you for reading my theory! Now I’d like to know your opinion: what do you think might happen in the fourth movie? Share your ideas, and let’s keep this conversation going! :)

[kitsuneheart]

—From the Introduction to "On the Courtship of Hedgehogs," by J. & B., PhD, Mobotropolis Press

I grew up a SatAM and Archie Sonic fan, so there’s a lot of small references in this fic to the older media. J. and B. are actually Jules and Bernadette, better known as Sonic’s parents! I liked the idea that, even though movie Sonic’s parents are absent (dead?), they are still teaching him about growing up and love.

*****

But Amy also just had her own innate charm. She was upbeat, kind, frighteningly strong, a fellow animal-lover, and, above all other things, obsessed with all things romance.

I wound up convinced that Amy Rose loves (non-sentient) animals PURELY because of her first Lego set, “Amy’s Animal Rescue Island.” But I think it works. Her liking animals also solved the problem of where she lives. It’s addressed later, but she lives with Zimmer, who’s the farmer we see in movie 1. Zimmer now also has goats. Of the Tauernscheck breed, also known as...Austrian goats. There is NO WAY that Austrian goat milk is milk Stone FLEW IN from Austria, it would ruin the FRESHNESS of the product!

*****

the girl had needled about the Wachowski’s relationship with the fervor of one of those...oh, what was the word? Ah, right. Shippers.

THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING.

*****

Five years had passed since Amy arrived on Earth to stop the Skynet-ripoff menace of Metal Sonic. Only a year after, one Rouge the Bat had surfaced...

I’ve got a couple ideas on a Metal Sonic fic to slot in as a prequel, but I’m trying to be good and stick to this one project until it’s done. As for Rouge, I was replaying SA2 for my kid, and realized she was semil-known as a spy before the events of the game. I think, in this story’s universe, she likewise got established at GUN before the hero trio met her.

*****

...the two misfits off in Station Square.

Where is Station Square in this fic? Just close enough for Amy to visit at her running speed (which I’m assuming is fast, but nowhere near Sonic’s speed). I actually find this really funny, as it implies that Station Square is in Montana, which is...not a big-city kind of state.

*****

Maddie had almost been relieved to find nothing about construction in Rosemary P.’s "The Courtship of Foxes"...

Rosemary P. would actually be...Rosemary Prower, Archie comics Tails’s mom!

*****

mini MGA reader

The Mobotropolis Grand Archive. This is the Archie Sonic-verse version of Wikipedia. The MGA is part of the research backbone of Sally Acorn’s digital assistant, Nicole. In this fic, it’s an information repository, including a lot of fiction.

*****

He still thinks Watergate salad is haute cuisine.

I love the idea of Shadow eating terrible 1970s food. Other highlights would include Hamburger Helper and the McDonalds Egg McMuffin, as well as a general craze for cheese logs and Jell-o.

*****

...things are probably backed up all the way to the Mean Bean."

I decided to be a little hand-wavy and let Stone go back to work at the coffee shop. There IS a reason, within the Metal Sonic story, and it does get alluded to a few times in the fic. But I just like Stone.

*****

...but half of the new hires just had to do an "emergency pitstop" in Montana's most famous open-air exotic zoo.

There’s no way Sonic and crew were kept a secret after the entire Eclipse Cannon thing. 

*****

“Californians.”

Shots fired, at myself.

*****

And there was just one creature on this planet, or any other, who could exhaust him.

*****

"Heeeey, Shadoooow" 

It’s me. The Devil. (STOP.)

*****

This clearing had become their accustomed meeting place. The center had once been dominated by a giant cedar, but now, thanks to his metal counterpart, all that remained was a wide, laser-cut stump and a few blasted pieces of the trunk, just starting to decay. 

Tip: don’t get bogged up on details. I spent, like, at least 20 minutes figuring out what kind of tree in Montana would leave a big enough stump, with the end result that I can actually point out the specific area these two are meeting.

*****

Scandal at the Food Court!

Panic! At the Disco.

*****

A little trill came from somewhere deep in Sonic’s chest and he rubbed his chin against the crumbling bark. The scratch sent jolts down his back, somehow to the tips of his quills, and the trill tuned up a notch.

Hedgehogs do not have scent glands. A fact which PISSED ME OFF when I learned it, because I love the idea of Sonic scent marking. I kept a few scent spreading/sharing things in the fic, but never specifically call it “marking.”

Not to say hedgehogs don’t HAVE a scent, just that it’s not a glands thing.

*****

....a chocolate muffin big enough to qualify for its own zip code.

Shortly after beginning this fic, Costco changed their muffins, and now they’re a lot smaller. I have never felt more betrayed.

*****

Sonic chattered the whole time, darting back and forth, coming to sharp stops, posing and preening as he cut off and corralled his opponent, coming in closer with every revolution.

Seeing fanart of these two circling is what inspired this fic. Sigh, oh how fanfic can warp your mind, that I can see running in circles as romantic.

*****

Amy rooted about in her messenger bag, pulling out a phone. “Rouge, when I get my hands on you!"

I was very happy when I decided Rouge and Amy would be friends. It turned out to be very useful in the future of this fic, as there were a few times I needed ways to pass info between characters while not involving other characters. Amy and Rouge were perfect for that, and they wind up having some fun interactions. I should do little fic for them. Maybe a girl’s night out heist. Maddie can come, too.

[borrelia]

posting at a stupid hour oh well. feedback on how to write--especially how to better pace and detail descriptions--wanted pleassee.

guys being dudes sonknux thing ft rouge trying to get to her beautiful wife (the master emerald)

Even in the middle of summer, the forested side of Angel Island never really got hot.  The sun beat down bright and warm, but the thin air couldn’t hold its heat. Under the shade of the dense trees and in the shadow of the towering Ice Cap, the air stayed chilled for much of the island’s orbital path.  Out in the open, the ever-constant breeze tugged body heat away from anything more than a foot above the ground.  Only close to the ground in the direct light of the sun could one warm under its rays.  There, or near the Master Emerald, its odd internal light radiating its own kind of heat that seeped into the carved stone shrine like hot coals in a furnace.

Sonic and Knuckles sat at the edge of the shrine, Sonic kicking his legs over the side as they warmed their backs and took in the view.  Birdsong traveled up from the forest below, oddly deadened by the thin air, but beautiful all the same.  The two of them were lightly scuffed, fur sticking out at odd angles and prints of dust on their sides where they’d tapped each other—playfighting or real fighting, it was difficult to tell with these two.

Sonic stretched his arms back over his head with a groan.  “Well, I’d better get going.”  He moved to stand and Knuckles stood with him,

Knuckles folded his arms and raises an eyebrow playfully.  “Someone else needs you to annoy them today?”

“Something like that!” Sonic smiled, matching his gaze.  Then, instead of extending an open hand or even a friendly fist, he leaned forward and casually said “Hey,” slipping a hand up to tangle in Knuckles’ spines, “Gimme a kiss.”

Knuckles’ arms remained crossed as Sonic gently pulled him down into two quick kisses, chaste and playful, then smoothly backed away with a satisfied smile.  Knuckles’ face noticeably reddened, but his eyes remained humorful, his fond smile only barely wider.  

“Don’t come back too soon, hedgehog,” he said, his forceful bravado clearly a routine act, the affection underneath readily apparent.

Sonic laughed and started down the shrine steps, hopping down sideways and backwards so he could continue his conversation facing the top.  “That hurts, Knuckles!” He was almost yelling as he talked, projecting his voice too loud in his usual way.  He only got louder as he put more distance between them.  “You’ll be missing me soon enough!  I know you were dying of boredom up here without me before I got here!”

Knuckles yelled back “You know that’s not true!” and waved a fist in what was quickly becoming genuine frustration, but Sonic mimed not being able to hear and playfully waved him off.  At the bottom of the shrine, still definitely able to hear Knuckles’ aggrieved shouting from above, Sonic took off in a bolt of blue.

The Tornado was parked not too far off, in a grassy clearing marked by ancient worn stones, tucked behind a copse of thin trees.  Wood slats were laid out in a makeshift runway for the little prop plane, its own dedicated tarmac begrudgingly constructed by the island’s caretaker.  

Sonic hopped out of his sprint meters away from the shining red plane, aiming his momentum just right as he turned mid-air to effortlessly plop halfway into the cockpit.  His legs hung over the edge of the plane for just a moment, before he pulled them in, adjusting himself to sit upright.  Sonic hummed happily as he pulled a water bottle out from under the seat and took a swig, swaying to the music in his head.

It was then that the bat decided to reveal herself.  Rouge slid out of the shadows of the trees and with a flick of her wings slipped up to the top of the Tornado’s wing.  Rouge of course prided herself on her ability to move stealthily, sitting on the plane with crossed legs and barely a whisper of fabric on metal, but it was hardly a difficult thing to do when it came to the ever-distracted Sonic.

“Didn’t expect to see you here, Blue.”

“Huh-? Rouge!” Sonic jolted and dropped his water bottle as his eyes snapped up to see her.

Rouge couldn’t help but snort at his surprise.  When his mind was somewhere else, that hedgehog could miss his own nose in front of him.

The shock soon faded, however, and was replaced with a friendly grin.  “Can’t say I expected to see you either.  If you’re hoping the emerald’s unguarded today, you’re out of luck.  I just left Knuckles up there a minute ago.”  Sonic’s gaze ducked back down as he spoke to fish the bottle out from where it had rolled under the seat.  He struggled with it for a moment before successfully recovering it and looking back up at her.

Rouge sighed wistfully, looking back over her shoulder to where she knew the shrine to be, despite the forest and the hills hiding it from view.  “Well I’m sure he can’t stop me from stealing a glance or two while I’m here.” She paused for a moment and glanced back at Sonic.  “I already got a few earlier, but I saw you two were having a moment together and didn’t want to interrupt.”  

Sonic didn’t seem to notice her unasked question.  He took a swig from his water bottle and set it down on his knee.  “Thanks. He’s all yours.” Sonic made a sweeping gesture with his arm, a playful smirk on his face.

Rouge pursed her lips, regarding Sonic pointedly.  “Well I’m sure if it was Knuckles I was after instead of the emerald, I’d be devastated to find out he’s already taken.”

Sonic’s brow wrinkled in confusion.  “What?”

“It’s no problem to me,” she continued, “I’m just a little nosy by profession.  Though with you, I’m not sure knowledge of your little tryst would work as useful blackmail by any means. It’s too bad, I was hoping I could go home with an emerald today.” 

Again, she sighed theatrically, this time much more for Sonic’s benefit.  He loved helping pitiful and sad things, right? Maybe one day she’d convince him her cause was an appropriately pitiful one to drop his guard and let her at those emeralds.

No such luck this time, by the way Sonic smirked and leaned back.  Well, she could see the lightswitch flick behind his eyes as he finally picked up her meaning. 

“Tryst, huh?” He said, folding his arms. “What exactly gave you that idea?” He had that look in his eyes that Rouge had seen when he was negotiating with Eggman or teasing Shadow:  he’d found a new game to play.

Rouge smiled.  Finally he was on the same page.  “Well, I never imagined you were so sentimental about goodbyes.”

Sonic rolled his shoulders. “Only as sentimental as a handshake!”

“A handshake, huh? A secret one just for you and Knuckles?”

“Nah, not ‘just.’” He rubbed his nose idly, then turned that mischievous smile back to Rouge. “Why, you feeling left out without one?”

“I’ll pass,” she said.  She shuffled her wings and leaned back on her hands, appraising him.  “But I’m supposed to believe you’re handing out goodbye kisses like candy and I haven’t seen it once until now? C’mon Blue, you can do better than that.”

“Hey,” Sonic gave a big what-can-you-do shrug, “Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen!  Not like you’ve been trailing me trying to catch me in the act.” He paused, then raised an eyebrow at her.  “You haven’t, have you?”

Rouge scoffed. “Of course not.  I’ll leave that busywork to your private eye friends.  I’d only trail you if I thought I could steal something nice off you.  Which, for the record, I know I can’t today.  Nice job scattering those Chaos Emeralds after your last adventure, Hero.  I haven’t seen any of them pop up yet.”

Sonic rolled his eyes and mumbled something to himself about Tails—great idea, Sonic, she should go pester the boy genius for emerald information!—before addressing her again.  “Well believe me or don’t, it’s up to you.  I don’t see why you’d make such a big deal out of it, though.  Knuckles is my friend, it’s not a crime to show him a little love every once in a while.”

“No, I didn’t think it was,” Rouge sighed.  “I was just hoping if I couldn’t get any treasure out of you, I could at least get a juicy secret or two.”  She hefted herself up by her hands and pulled her feet in to stand upright on the plane wing.  She set her hands on her hips and fixed Sonic with an unamused stare.  “I still don’t believe you, for the record.  I just know when to drop a dead lead.”  

Sonic took her cue and turned his attention to the Tornado’s instruments, readying himself to start it up.  “You can ask Knuckles if you want, he’ll tell you the same thing.  And you know he can’t lie to save his life.”

“Thanks, but I didn’t need your permission.” Rouge flared her wings out dramatically and swooped up into the air just as she heard Sonic start up the motor.  She gained air until she could see the Master Emerald shrine over the trees and began to glide in its direction.

“Hey!” Sonic called from below.  

She stopped and twisted to look back down at him.

“Sure you don’t want that kiss goodbye?” Sonic tapped his cheek, a huge grin splitting his face.

“Hard pass!” Rouge yelled down.

The sound of Sonic’s laughter was drowned out by the sputtering start of the Tornado’s engine. Rouge shook her head and began her long descent across the island.  The sound of the roaring engine faded in the distance as Sonic took flight the other direction and the echo was swallowed up in the empty spaces between the air, leaving only the soft whispers of wind in Rouge’s ears.

She kept her flight path to the shrine less than direct, curving down to hide herself in the treetops in case the Tornado’s flight drew Knuckles’ attention in her direction.  She was in no rush:  unlike Sonic, Knuckles wasn’t going anywhere soon.  By the time she had made her way to the shrine and landed with a soft click of her heels atop one of the encircling stone pillars, the Emerald’s guardian had wandered away for a minute and left his post unguarded…. 

Well, she thought, getting blackmail material out of the echidna would be nice.  But an emerald in the hand is worth two in the bush…  

Rouge leapt lightly down from the pillar, smoothing her descent with her wings until she came down on top of the Master Emerald lighter than a feather, her legs kicked out behind her and her hands gently caressing its glinting faceted surface.  She laid down across the flat top, resting her cheek against it and sighing with contentment as she felt its thrumming warmth through her gloves.  

“Hello beautiful,” she crooned, closing her eyes.  “Did you miss me?”

“Not in the slightest.”

Knuckles’ flat voice jolted Rouge out of her reverie, her body stiffening and her head shooting upright.  Well, that didn’t last long.

“Now get off the Master Emerald!” Knuckles growled, his shoulders squaring up as he reached the top of the shrine’s steps.  

“Hey there, handsome!” Rouge smiled brightly.  “I didn’t expect you’d be back so soon!”

“Off!” 

Oh well, two in the bush it was.  Rouge kissed the glossy surface of the gem goodbye, leaving a perfect pink lipstick print, and gently lifted herself up to land lightly next to where Knuckles stood, gawking with a comically wide mouth and flushed face.  

“You—” he sputtered, looking between her and the Emerald, “You keep your mouth off the Master Emerald!”

“It was just a friendly kiss goodbye.”  Rouge pouted, but was unable to help the corners of her mouth from turning up into a wicked smile.  “You do it all the time, don’t you?”

Knuckles’ blush deepened and his spines puffed up around him.  “I do NOT kiss the Master Emerald!” He shuffled sideways to subtly (“subtly”) position himself between Rouge and the Emerald.  Rouge pretended not to notice him encroaching in her space and kept rooted in place, watching with amusement as it made him squirm.

“Well I’ve never seen you say goodbye to my emerald, but that’s how you say goodbye to your friends, isn’t it? Like Sonic?” 

Knuckles was exceptionally fun to tease.  If she spent enough time with Shadow, she could get some good jabs in here and there, but he never reacted as visibly and predictably as Knuckles.  Rouge could learn to read Shadow’s micro-expressions and his silent pauses to get a good sense of when she said something that hit close to home.  But Knuckles? The echidna wore his heart on his sleeve and his sleeve on his forehead.  Every thought that ran through his mind was as plain to see as the nose on his face—and Knuckles’ nose stuck out much more than most.

Rouge watched in real-time as Knuckles’ expression shifted from teeth-bared indignation, to brow-furrowed disorientation, to wide-eyed realization, to flushed-faced panic.

“What!?” he sputtered. “No I don’t!”

Knuckles backed up half a step, surely unconsciously, and Rouge took the opportunity to more forward half a step, keeping the distance between them close.

“Really? Because I just caught Sonic on his way out.  He said you’re one of his friends he kisses goodbye all the time.  There’s no shame in that.”

Knuckles stiffened.  His cheeks remained flushed as he set his jaw and met her gaze.  “Well,” he started, “I meant I don’t kiss him.  He kisses me.  It’s different.”

Rouge hummed pensively, giving him time to second-guess his defense.  Which, of course, he did.

“I mean, you said I say goodbye to all my friends like that.  But I don’t—it’s just Sonic.  Because that’s what he does.  It’s Sonic’s thing.”

Knuckles seemed much happier with that answer, tilting his chin up to fix her with a challenging stare.  It was a much better defense, of course.  But Sonic was right:  Knuckles couldn’t lie to save his life.

“Really?” she pressed.  “So could I get a kiss goodbye if I asked nicely?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because Sonic is my best friend. And you,” he jammed a gloved hand to her chest, unable to unfurl a single finger for the gesture, “are a lying crook, bat girl.”

Rouge gasped and threw a hand to her chest in mock-dismay. “I resent that remark!”  She watched as her pitiful expression cracked his resolve, then smoothly turned away as if she hadn’t noticed.  

Rouge began to leisurely circle the Emerald, reaching a gloved hand out to run along its side.  She was careful not to let her fingers touch it, lest she raised its guardian’s ire, but she ran them close enough to feel a soft tingle of power emanating from the gem. “Just because I’m a crook doesn’t mean I have to lie to get what I want.” Necessarily.  “I’m always perfectly clear about wanting this emerald here, aren’t I?”

Knuckles pulled back his fist and raised it to his chin, clearly considered her words—as serious as ever. “Well I suppose you are.” He side-eyed her as she finished her lap around the Emerald.

“So could I get a kiss?”

“Still no.” Knuckles crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze. 

“Oh come on.” Rouge smiled.  “We’re friends, you can trust me.”  She continued before he had the chance to object, “So what is it? Am I not pretty enough for you?” 

“No!” Knuckles sputtered, flustered.

“No I’m not pretty enough?” Rouge pouted, unable to resist drawing out another reaction from him.

“No, you are, I—augh!” Knuckles pressed his palms to the sides of his head.  “You’re trying to get in my head!” His face scrunched up as he turned away, blocking her out.

Rouge laughed, dancing around to his front. She tugged at his arms with a sly grin.  “Oh come on,” she goaded.  “I’m not being serious.”

Knuckles cracked one suspicious eye open at her, and begrudgingly dropped his arms.  He was clearly more interested in getting her to move on than to continue with his theatrics.  But of course, she wasn’t planning on it.  She was getting that emerald one way or another.

“Sonic isn’t half as persistent as me,” Rouge said.  Her fingers remained brushing his arms where they’d fallen.  “I can’t imagine you’d hold out denying me, but cave to him.  You two butt heads all the time!  You really expect me to believe this is all Sonic’s idea?”

Knuckles’ expression softened as she spoke, then his eyes flicked downward.  He took a moment to think before letting out a steadying breath, resolving himself.

Gotcha, Rouge thought.

“It is his idea,” Knuckles said quietly.  “That really is just something he does with friends.  Just don’t—” he tensed “—tell him I like him, okay?”

Rouge cringed internally at the melodrama, but maintained her placid expression and nodded encouragingly.  Relationship drama like this never made sense to her.  But it wasn’t about what made sense to her, it was about what would get her leverage for that emerald.

“Of course I won’t tell him, sugar.”  For a price.

Knuckles awkwardly scratched the back of his head.  “Sonic’s friendship means a lot to me.  And I’m happy with what we’ve got.”  He stared off to the side, across the island and into the distant clouds.  “I don’t want to risk losing any of it by asking for anything else.”

Rouge couldn’t help the soft snort that escaped her—playing guidance counsellor was not her forte.  Knuckles looked up at the sound and she attempted to play it off by clearing her throat.  “Well you can’t get what you want if you don’t try, can you? Why all the secrecy? Just get it over with and talk to him or whatever.”

Knuckles shook his head.  “It’s not worth jeopardizing our friendship.  That’s what means the most to me.”

“Afraid you’ll lose your kissing privileges if he rejects you?” Rouge smirked.

Knuckles shot her a glare.  

Oops! Hit the nail on the head!  Rouge pulled her hands behind her back and leaned away slightly, the fragile air of vulnerability clearly broken.

Knuckles remained still for a moment longer before looking away with a frustrated huff.  “I think it’s time you leave.”

Rouge hummed and turned to walk to the edge of the shrine.  She looked out across the tree tops to the empty sky beyond. “I suppose that’s enough catching up for one day.  But I’m not going without my emerald!”

She heard Knuckles shift behind her, probably squaring up once again. “What are you talking about, you crazy bat!? I said get off my island!”

“I’d be more than happy to,” Rouge purred.  “In fact, I’ll probably head straight to Prower’s workshop to look for more emeralds.  I might even run into Sonic while I’m there.” She looked back over her shoulder, a malicious glint in her eye.  “How important would you say it is that I not tell him about your crush? Enough to give me that big pretty rock behind you?”

Behind her, she could see Knuckles was indeed in a fighting stance, fist up in a threat.   He paused for a beat with that exaggerated frown on his face before he caught her meaning. His shoulders dropped and his eyes went wide.

“What-? You-! You said you wouldn’t!”

“I didn’t say for free—what do you take me for?”

Rouge shot upward with a powerful flap of her wings, narrowly dodging the twin spikes of Knuckles’ fist.  Knuckles whirled around and swiped again at her receding legs.  He missed, growling in frustration. 

“Grr—! You two-faced little cheat! I trusted you!”

Rouge landed lightly on top of the Master Emerald, her heels clicking gently over the smudged lipstick print.  “That’s your loss, echidna.” She dusted herself off and watched with amusement as Knuckles continued to growl and stamp his foot below.  “Now, how does that deal sound to you?”

Knuckles snarled, “I won’t let you have the Master Emerald!”

“Not even to keep my mouth shut to Sonic?  If you let me take it, I won’t tell him, promise.” She held her hands up in appeasement.  Her word was only ever as good as she wanted it to be; all that really mattered was that others could tell when she was being really sincere.  “You said his friendship was so important to you.”

Knuckles stilled. He looked down at the cracked stone ground, his fists limp at his side as he thought it through.  After a moment he sighed, his eyes softening in defeat. 

Yes!

“Fine. Tell him.”

No!

“What?” Rouge stepped back, bewildered.  “Did I hear you right?”

Knuckles scoffed, “Of course.”  He straightened up, raising a fist to his chest and meeting her gaze.  “My duty to the Master Emerald always comes first.  No matter what, I’ll endure it.”  His eyes narrowed as he pulled up his other fist, setting his weight back into his fighting stance.  “So don’t make me repeat myself again: Get off the Master Emerald and off my island!”

The two stood in the dead silence of the high air, the tiny scuffing of Knuckles’ shoes on rocks on rock the loudest sound between them.  Rouge broke the moment with a sigh and a dismissive slump backwards.  She hung one hand from her hip while the other gestured lazily at her side. 

“Well, it was worth a try,” she said.  “But what a waste of time.  Listening to all those feelings and not even getting a good payoff for it.  Next time I’ll just skip to snatching the Emerald while you two lovebirds are distracted.” 

Knuckles regarded her warily as she lifted off the Master Emerald and flew to just over the edge of the shrine.  She twisted back to look at him before she left.

“I meant what I said earlier.  Just take what you want for once, Knuckles.  That’s your problem, you know.  You don’t know how to live for yourself.”

Knuckles scoffed, turning to face her without dropping his guard.  “That’s your problem, Rouge.  You have no sense of discipline.” 

Rouge shrugged and turned to fly away.  That may be so, she thought, the sound of her wingbeats and the wind in her ears quickly becoming all she could hear in the empty air, but at least this I can understand:  I’d give up anything for that rock just the same!

[kaihuntrr]

part one: when the sun was eclipsed.

Grian remembers of a time when Jimmy was still around. And what happened to him.

Another day, another perfect time to set sail.

Another chance to strike at the beasts that terrorized the people.

Grian stood proudly at the bow, facing the large iron gate in the distance. He saw the large shadow cast by the stone walls, its darkness providing a sense of safety to the town’s citizens with  a glint of the canons that adorned the top. It was a ready defense from any invading monsters, though they never dared to swim close to the islands. Maybe those monsters had some intelligence after all if they knew to stay away from the kingdom. They were protected by the king, the navy, and the hunters, each one ensuring humanity could live and thrive within the walls. It was good. It was perfect. 

It was home. 

It was going to be another exciting day. The crew planned to sail off into the sea, to find some beasts to kill, and to return to the love and warmth of the people and recover. Prepare, leave, kill, return, rest, then repeat. The simple, monotonous life of a hunter was easier said than done. A lot of hunters risked their lives every day to keep the people safe and sound. It was one of the most noble deeds a person could do in their life- it was even more noble to be acknowledged by the king himself. 

One day, this crew was going to earn the king’s approval. They had already slain small packs of those disgusting monsters, an impressive feat compared to the one or two beasts other crews their age had taken down. It was only a matter of time before the king addressed him, his brothers, and their crew. Then, they’d be hunters for the king– better than all the rest! It was going to be one of the best days of their lives, he just knew it. 

After all, he was the cunning Grian Solidarity. He was the youngest of his family and had the biggest hunger to prove himself on the wild seas. He and his brothers had made this crew not too long ago, and with how much money they’d been raking in, they just had to be the best out of all the people their age! The amount of people who had looked down on them for just being green, overeager upcomers wasn’t surprising, but Grian could bet those people were eating their own insults now. They just had to be!

Grian rested his hands on the railing, breathing in the fresh air, and hummed in delight. The ship was prepared to set sail and the others would likely return before the gates were scheduled to open. He’d done his part- checking on the weapons and restocking the ship with ammo was pretty easy when he was with Mumbo and Scar- so he had the luxury of sitting back, relaxing while waiting for the others to get on board–

“Grian?” He jumped at the sound of his name. He turned around to see Joel looking around, worried. “Have you seen Jimmy? I haven’t seen him anywhere.” Grian frowned, suddenly concerned.

Jimmy had been acting weird lately. Not only had he gotten that flower tattoo out of nowhere, but he’d been acting a lot more aloof on their hunting trips too. He’d been acting like that for a couple of months at least. He had been pretty scared of the ocean before, when they were younger, but a little exposure therapy didn’t hurt and he’d been fine. It also wasn’t the first time that he had wandered around like this- but he usually came back well before the ship would set sail.

Grian hummed, trying to recall if he had seen his brother in the past few… hours, probably. He ran through where he’d last seen the other members of their crew. He’d seen Cleo hanging around with Mumbo, Scar and Bdubs were doing something together, and Lizzie was out in the port talking to Martyn before he was due to set off with the Kestrels. Grian remembered catching Joel glancing at Lizzie a dozen times earlier, silently wishing she could join them on their hunts. “...No, I haven’t,” he finally said, putting a hand on his chin. “Any idea where he’d be?”

“No, that’s why I was asking you in the first place…,” Joel grumbled. “He’s probably in the harbor somewhere, let’s go look for him.”

“But I just got comfortable…,” Grian jokingly complained. One sour look from Joel made him roll his eyes and relent. Jimmy knew this town like the back of his hand, just like the rest of them. He wasn’t lost, Grian was sure of it. “Fine. But Tim’s probably just wandering around again. You know how he is.” He shrugged. Joel made a small frown and sighed, but followed Grian as the two descended from the ship and into the hustle and bustle of the port town behind them.

—————

So maybe Jimmy had gotten lost somewhere in town.

How was Grian supposed to know that?

Even so, he probably wouldn’t be too hard to find. It wasn’t like the town was… big.

Grian and Joel scoured the marketplace, one of the busier sides of town, in hopes they’d run into Jimmy there. It wasn’t an unusual spot for them to frequent, considering all the supplies and ammo they had to restock themselves with every time they came back to port, so Grian was sure that Jimmy would be around here. Maybe he was buying something for the crew? That would be really nice of him.

Grian looked around the marketplace, seeing a variety of townsfolk going about their day, pointing at imported fabrics, trying out newly minted tools, and smelling the fresh food from different restaurants and stalls. He could hear everything, from barters between villagers to the giggles of children to older men bickering with each other about their wives. The place was alive; it felt so amazing to get lost in the crowd, but there wasn’t any trace of his brother. 

He looked at Joel and gestured to the crowd and nodded. Joel nodded back, understanding the thought Grian had in mind. It was best to split up.

Grian slipped away into the crowd of people and cupped his mouth. “Tim!” he shouted, looking around. “Come on Tim- we have to leave soon!”

“Jim, this isn’t funny!” Joel called out from somewhere behind him. “Where are you?”

The brothers sifted through the crowd, looking around for any sign that their brother might’ve been around. It shouldn’t have been too hard– he’d gotten himself lost before, and Grian and Joel were always able to find him. The only annoying bit was how often Jimmy got lost. They had been in and around this town for more than a year! He should know his way around at least!

“There he is!” Joel called out, pointing up the street to one of the narrow streets to where Jimmy had just exited from. Jimmy looked around for a moment, apparently not seeing them, then exhaled what seemed to be a sigh of relief as he shook his head. He turned and started walking in the direction of the ship. 

Grian and Joel pushed through the crowd, calling out for their brother as he still seemed to not notice them, even as they grew closer. Grian was sure he was shouting- why hadn’t Jimmy noticed yet?

“Tim! Tim!” Grian called out for what felt like the hundredth time, the sound finally registered. Jimmy turned around and looked at his brothers with wide eyes, allowing them to catch up to him. Grian crossed his arms as he stood in front of him, “Where were you?”

Jimmy rubbed the back of his head and forced an awkward smile. “Nowhere important, just had to check up on something.” His eyes darted around, looking at anything but Grian and Joel. “Sorry if I scared you a bit, it’s nothing to worry about.”

“We’ve been looking for you for the past thirty minutes,” Joel groaned, “And this isn’t the first time you’ve vanished right before launch. There has to be some reason you’ve been wandering off.”

Jimmy frowned and looked down at the ground, as if unsure of himself. There had to be some type of problem making him act the way he was. Why couldn’t he just tell them…? They were brothers and there were no secrets between them. What could possibly be so serious and so secret-?

“Like I said, it’s nothing for you to worry about,” Jimmy insisted, his voice more stern. It sounded almost like he was on edge. Then he paused, slightly shaking his head. “We’re leaving soon right? I’m not late, so it’s fine.”

Joel looked unhappy about that answer, crossing his arms. “That’s the plan.” He looked briefly up at the sky then back down to Jimmy. “I think everyone else is back on board, we should get moving.” He looked over the other ships as other hunters prepared for their own voyages, still frowning.

“Definitely,” Jimmy agreed. He looked back and forth from the ships to his brothers, a smirk forming on his face. That look of mischievousness tended to show up when he’d thought of something stupid. “How about we race to the ship?”

Grian shot a glance at Joel, an unspoken scheme passing between them, then he looked back to Jimmy. “So long as you don’t trip over a bunch of swords and impale yourself….” Grian shrugged nonchalantly, earning a small snicker from Joel and a bright blush of embarrassment on Jimmy’s face.

“Wh- I’m not that clumsy!” Jimmy sputtered, his shoulders rising as he started shaking his head adamantly.

Yeah right, Grian almost said, but he kept it to himself.

Joel grinned, “Sure you are! Out of all of us, you’re gonna be the one to die first, probably doing something stupid,” he pushed Jimmy aside, breaking into a run as Grian followed right behind him. 

“And you’re slow too!” Grian called out, glancing behind him momentarily to see the stunned look on Jimmy’s face.

“Wh- no countdown?! You’re supposed to do a countdown!” Jimmy shouted as he scrambled after them, “Oh you’re gonna get it! Cheaters!”

Grian and Joel laughed as Jimmy attempted to catch up, chasing after them like they had chased each other as kids. Their hearty laughter filled the air, breaking whatever tension there had been between them. Nothing but bright smiles and exhausted breaths hung between them as they boarded the ship, teasing and prodding each other all the way up the gangplank, sharing childish grins and teasing until it was finally time for those iron gates to open once more.

—————

The sea had a calmness to it.

A still, uneasy calmness that Grian couldn’t quite describe.

He could remember the stories hunters would tell each other; how the apparent silence meant an easy voyage for sailors, but the moment that hunters let their guard down a swarm of beasts would descend upon the ship. That was how arrogant hunters met their doom, because they’d doubted their enemy. A good hunter would never let their guard down, would train to keep their skills sharp, and would never doubt their enemy’s power. 

Grian stood in the crow’s nest, using a telescope to search the ocean for any sign of monsters. He didn’t see much, just a quiet, endless ocean. The one thing he was slightly unnerved with was the lack of birds perched on the ship, there weren’t even any in the skies. Though… maybe that was a good thing? He wasn’t too sure.

It must be nice, being able to fly wherever you want.

Their crew was far from the Crown Isles. It had been two and a half days of straight voyaging, and Grian had begun to get quite bored. It was all the same monotonous routine without a monster to fight. There wasn’t that much to do on a ship except sleep, read, or play games. Things would just get interesting later, but ‘later’ was so far away….

He could hear faded conversations from his friends down below and the distant rumble of the engine. Sighing to himself and deciding that the coast was clear, Grian shut his telescope and tucked it away in his bag. He made his way down the wooden ladder, feeling the nice breeze on his skin and breathed it in.

“See anything from up there?” Joel called out from the steering wheel. 

Grian shook his head. “Nothing, so we can relax for a little while longer,” he shrugged, looking up at Joel. “It’s a nice break.”

“It sure is!” Joel replied.

Grian looked across the deck to see Jimmy and Scar having a pleasant conversation. Grian felt his heart swell at the sight of Scar’s goofy grin. He was such a lovable idiot. He felt his heart skip as the two locked eyes and Scar waved him over.

“Heya, captain!” Scar swung his arm around Grian the moment he arrived, “What’d you see up there?”

“I haven’t seen anything, so no worries there.” Grian pushed Scar’s arm away and shook his head. “What were you two talking about?”

Jimmy widened his eyes and shot a glance at Scar. Scar didn’t notice as he immediately responded, “Oh! Jimmy here was talking about this gift he’d give you-.” Jimmy immediately swatted his arm, then looked away in embarrassment. Scar paused, then slowly turned to Jimmy, “...Was I not supposed to say that?”

“Scar!” Jimmy groaned, his cheeks getting redder and redder as he covered his face with his hands with a groan. “Go get Joel, now that you’ve ruined it…!”

“Sorry, sorry!” Scar laughed, walking away. “But I still think that idea of yours is really cute!”

Grian’s gaze followed Scar for a short while as he walked up the deck, then he blinked and looked back at Jimmy. “Gift…?” He raised an eyebrow, looking suspiciously at Jimmy’s hands, now firmly stuffed into his pockets.

“I- I thought you two might like something since I’ve been off doing… other stuff lately,” Jimmy raised his shoulders, his voice growing softer. “I got a gift, something for all three of us.”

Jimmy flinched as he heard Joel’s hearty laugh. “Jim got a present for his little brothers?” Joel grinned mockingly. “I was wondering when you’d stop slacking off and fulfill your duty as the oldest to spoil your little brothers!”

Jimmy’s expression soured. “Wh-! Well if you have that attitude with me, I’m not giving it to you!” He huffed, but Grian could see the facsimile of the stern look on Jimmy’s face. Grian raised his eyebrows and shook his head as Joel rolled his eyes.

“Aw, Jiiim…!” Joel cooed, tilting his head, trying to get Jimmy to look at him with his sweet-little-brother puppy-dog eyes. They usually worked. “Come on, please?” Jimmy’s expression soured further but it only gave Joel an evil glint in his eyes. “Don’t make me do it.” Silence. Joel rolled his eyes and nudged Grian, both of them snickering as Joel took in a deep breath.

Then, he did what he’d always done since they were kids: being lovingly annoying to their eldest brother.

“Please please please please-.”

One of Jimmy’s eyes twitched as he shot a deathly glare at Joel. “Joel, quit it!”

“You forced me,” Joel said defensively, shrugging almost helplessly with a smug look on his face. In a blink, he was back to puppy-dog eyes. “Jiiiiimmm…!”

Jimmy sighed, relenting as he relaxed his shoulders. “Sometimes I wish I could stay mad at both of you forever,” he tilted his head in exasperation. “I got these.”

Jimmy pulled out two small things from his pocket. 

Lockets.

They were small and oblong, silver teardrops carved with their initials on one side and a long feather on the back. They hung from silver chains with delicate little clasps. Jimmy gave them the locket with their respective initials. Grian stared at it with wide starry eyes. He opened the locket and gasped.

“Th- these are….”

“Remember the photo we took on the day we got this ship?” Jimmy asked fondly. “I was able to make some copies- and I got them in a nice locket for all of us!” 

The locket’s picture was of the three of them standing together with their ship behind them, all nice and new. Grian remembered that day fondly- all the emotions they’d had when finishing their training to be hunters, the well wishes of their parents and support of their friends, and finally seeing the ship they’d call their own.

It was all so… perfect. 

“Do you like it…?”

“It’s… it’s wonderful, Tim,” Grian was speechless, shifting his hand around to examine the locket from all sides. “I love it.”

“Yeah… these are great gifts, Jim,” Joel nodded, unclasping his locket to put it around his neck. “They’re the perfect good luck charms.”

“You think so?” Jimmy smiled as Grian and Joel nodded in agreement. “Oh that’s great, there’s a little something special in them, too.”

“It’s pretty special as is, Jim,” Joel kept his eyes on the locket, looking at it from every angle with adoration, “what’s there to top?”

“It’s a surprise, so you’ll figure it out.”

“Have it your way, Tim.” Grian stuck his tongue out as he slipped his locket on. Though, he did appreciate a good mystery, so cracking the surprise was definitely going to be a fun pastime of his. “Anyway, since there aren’t any monsters around, how about we share a toast?” He clapped his hands together and looked at his brothers eagerly.

“Are you sure about that?” Joel asked, wariness rang in his voice. “We’re out at sea, G, you wouldn’t want–!”

“It’s alright, we’ll be fine!” Grian waved his hand in dismissal. “We haven’t seen a beast for days! Just a drink or two won’t be too much of a hassle. Martyn isn’t here so we don’t have a problem with drunks or lightweights!” 

“You make a good point…,” Joel muttered, relenting a little. Jimmy glanced at him and shook his head, but Joel shrugged. ���Fine. Just a drink or two.”

Grian nodded and put a hand to his chest. “Just one or two, promise.”

The crew did have a few barrels of liquor stashed away, and it would be a waste to keep those down there forever. The three of them got to work bringing some of the barrels up, and with some coaxing, the rest of the crew got together to share a few drinks. It’d help with the boredom, but it was also to take some of their edges off, as there were tales of hunters being overly paranoid and turning on each other while out to sea… those were definitely some odd stories.

Grian sipped some of the ale in his mug, swirling the burning liquid as he looked on at his crew. Scar, Joel and Cleo were passing jokes around, Mumbo was explaining something to Bdubs, who didn’t look like he was retaining any of it, and Jimmy was… well, he was by himself, standing at the railing and staring off into the water.

“Hey.” Jimmy flinched at Grian’s voice as he approached. Grian gave his brother a smile, but his eyes widened when he saw Jimmy… dumping his drink over the side of the ship? “Uh- are you good, Tim?”

Jimmy blinked. “Wh- oh! Whoops,” he grinned sheepishly as he quickly reoriented his cup and frowned at the alcohol remaining. “Guess my head’s starting to buzz now, huh?” 

“What’re you doing over here, instead of over there with everybody else?” Grian tilted his head towards the rest of their crew. They looked happy, all together like that. They were having fun. “Unless you want to be alone for a little while…?”

“I don’t mind the company–,” Jimmy said quickly, looking at the sea. “It’s… it’s nice that everyone’s enjoying themselves.” He almost looked withdrawn, like the alcohol was making him more sad than happy. Grian frowned. Jimmy was usually a loud, boisterous drunk, teetering on being overly friendly– not this.

“Yeah, but you should be enjoying yourself too,” Grian nudged Jimmy’s shoulder. 

“Grian…, I know you want me to have fun but…,” Jimmy sighed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for everyone to get drunk. Someone should keep watch, keep the ship from getting into any trouble….” He trailed off, but Grian could see his eyes shift to Bdubs as his voice lowered.

Grian took a quick glance at Bdubs, seeing how happy the man was with the rest of the crew. It was hard to imagine such a bubbly man starting his hunting career off with a death.

The Storm Chaser had been a fine ship, boasting a streak of thirteen beasts slain each month, and one of their members was Bdubs’ brother, Pungence. With its iron and brass covered hull and naval blue and blood red sails, it was easy to spot the ship out in the waters.

Which made the discovery of its wreckage all the more horrifying. 

It was said that the crew was arrogant enough to let their guards down, only for a beast to come and tear their ship apart. Grian remembered Bdubs adamantly pushing against the story and blamed it on something else- like faulty machinery or an ambush, though he couldn’t remember much from before he’d been found floating amongst the wreckage. Grian wasn’t sure what to think about it.

Grian shook his head. “We won’t get into any trouble today, Tim, we’ll be okay,” he put a hand on his brother’s shoulder and smiled warmly. Jimmy was still a little antsy, but a good drink could loosen him up enough to let go of his worries. “So come on! Let’s go join them!” He caught Jimmy by the elbow, pulling him across the deck to where the others were. 

He tried not to pay too much attention to how Jimmy flinched when he’d grabbed his arm.

“Grian, I-....” Jimmy stopped after just a few steps. Grian furrowed his eyebrows as Jimmy’s eyes widened and looked around, like he was expecting to see something, only for him to shake his head and smile when there was nothing there. Grian wasn’t sure if it was genuine or not. He was really regretting the buzz in the back of his skull. It made it hard to think, hard to read Jimmy as he said, “...Sure. Let’s go see them.”

Grian took a few steps forward, but started walking quicker as he saw the smiling faces of his friends, his crew. He practically dragged Jimmy all the way to the others. It didn’t seem to bother Jimmy too much, at least Grian didn’t think so. “Hey! Guess who made it?” Grian chuckled mischievously as Jimmy rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Jimothy!” Bdubs giggled as they walked up, finally blinking out of his blank stare to wave wildly at them. “There you are!” He slung his arm around Jimmy, the sudden motion startling the man. Bdubs’ grin only grew wider. “Aw come on! Don’t be so jumpy!” 

“Are you sure they’re not drunk?” Jimmy whispered to Grian as he glanced at the others, but his voice was still loud enough for the rest of the crew to hear.

“What? We’re fine,” Bdubs shook his head, dismissing the notion. “Just wanted to mess with you, captain. What’s with the drinks all of a sudden?”

“Can’t we just have a drink every once in a while?” Grian chuckled bashfully. He took a sip from his own mug. “I don’t want you all going insane.”

“Can’t go insane when we’re all messing with Jim! You’re heaps of entertainment!” Joel laughed as he wrapped his arm around Jimmy’s neck, pulling him down with such force that it sloshed the few remaining drops of his drink down Jimmy’s shirt. Joel paused, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at his brother, slowly taking in the solemn, almost distant look on Jimmy’s face. “Why do you look so upset?”

“I-... it’s nothing. It’s hard to talk about, that’s all.” Jimmy looked away. “But don’t worry about me!” He raised his hands, forcing a laugh, “Let’s just finish the rest of the drinks.”

“We’ll stop worrying when you stop being so sad,” Cleo mumbled amusingly, not a trace of malice in their voice as they took a swig of their mug. Grian wasn’t sure how many times she’d drank out of it, but he didn’t remember seeing her refill it at all. “But whatever you say, captain.”

Grian downed the rest of his drink, savoring the burning feeling. It was always fun to drink with friends, much more so when they were all having a good time. Grian easily let the world slip out of focus with his friends- his family right in front of him, so he didn’t notice the weather turning. 

He didn’t notice the dark clouds covering the sky. He didn’t notice when the chill breeze of the ocean turned freezing on his skin. And he didn’t notice how much the waves had begun to sway the ship from side to side with how much he was swaying on his own. He couldn’t focus on much with his buzzing head, even if–

“GUYS!” Scar’s sudden shout alerted the entire crew. “It’s a storm! Watch out for beasts!”

That wasn’t good.

“Get to your positions, quickly!” Grian shouted. “A storm could spell trouble!”

The crew immediately flew to their positions. Scar climbed up to the crow’s nest as fast as he could, Cleo ran towards one of the cannons with Joel beside her on the left, Jimmy and Mumbo ran to the right to hold their cannons, and Grian picked up a harpoon and dashed to the bow of the ship.

Thunder rumbled overhead, the waves began to crash against the hull of the ship. Storms were fine. They’ve weathered some nasty storms in the past, and this one was just the same as the others–!

Then Grian heard something.

Tha-thump.

Tha-thump.

What was that sound? A heartbeat-? His-? Then why did it sound like it was coming from the water? 

Then the ship suddenly began to tilt sideways, the deck slanting under their feet.

“H-Hold on tight!” Grian grabbed the closest railing and held on for dear life as the ship continued to tilt. He was closest to Jimmy and Mumbo, the three of them clinging to the railing. Grian shook his head, squinting at the water as he attempted to get a look at the monster.

He couldn’t see any sign of the beast, not its jaws or body. The whole sea around them had turned dark from the storm, too dark for the creature’s silhouette to be visible under the surface.

Rain fell out of the sky and crashed on the deck, pelting the surrounding seas in a blurry mess as Grian struggled to see. The odd, rhythmic tha-thumps drummed in Grian’s ears, the only thing he could hear over the howling wind and the booming thunder. Wind whipped around, further obscuring Grian’s vision.

Then Grian’s whole body froze as a bone-chilling trill reverberated through the depths, making his teeth rattle in his skull. 

The sound reverberated through the chaos of the sea, rumbling the wood and steel of the ship, and down to Grian’s very soul. That sound… it didn’t sound like anything like the beasts he took down in the past. The hand gripping the harpoon trembled as he tried to look for the beast in the water.

The ship continued to tilt. 

“Why aren’t any of you firing?!” Joel snapped, his voice barely audible above the sounds of the sky and sea. 

“There isn’t anything to shoot!” Grian shouted back, lifting his harpoon high for the chance of this beast to reveal itself. Nothing- nothing at all. Grian’s heartbeat quickened, searching desperately for a shadow in the water. A beast couldn’t hide itself as it was attempting to flip over an entire ship…! It needed to have a shadow! There had to be some kind of shadow! His eyes turned further out, where the water turned lighter very suddenly, almost in a defined line…. 

What if-.... That couldn’t be possible, could it? “U- unless….”

Unless the dark sea surrounding the ship was all a part of the monster’s large shadow.

Grian heaved his arm forward and threw the harpoon into the water, using all of his strength to plunge the blade as deep into the water as he could manage.

The ship suddenly jerked sideways as a loud, earth-shaking growl rumbled through the waters.

Grian lost his grip on the railing, his foot slipping out from under him on the slick deck. He pitched backwards, but the deck fell away under him as the whole ship turned sideways. He felt himself bounce across the deck, scraping the back of his arms and shoulders as he flipped over. One of his hands somehow managed to grab onto a rope, bringing him to a sharp, sudden stop that wrenched his shoulder. Grian heard himself let out a cry of pain that he didn't fully realize he'd made. He looked up, blinking water out of his eyes just in time to watch a shape fall past him-

Jimmy.

Grian let go of the rope and kicked off the sideways deck before he even realized he was moving, just barely clearing the railing as the ship rocked back the other way to right itself.

He plunged into the icy water, already reaching for his brother.

Grian’s body froze as the icy water closed over his head, shock startling his nerves. He pushed through, kicking towards the surface. His head burst out of the water, salt stinging his eyes as he turned his head frantically to look for Jimmy. He couldn’t be too far- maybe he was in shock, maybe so much so that he couldn’t move! Grian turned his head more frantically. He needed to get to him, he needed to find him!

He spotted Jimmy farther out, treading water. The ship must’ve launched him far. With a fire in his heart, Grian began to push through the waves, swimming closer and closer to his brother, every breath fueling him forward. “Tim! Tim!”

“Grian?!” Jimmy turned around. His eyes widened in shock and he glanced from the water around him then back to Grian. He held his hand up. “Grian wait-!”

“Jimmy!” Grian called out, “I’m coming to you! Just hold on!”

Tha-thump.

Tha-thump.

The beast was nearby, probably circling around them. They would be fine- they had to be fine. Grian still had his guns and Jimmy had his dagger. Whatever beast it was could live another day, he didn’t care if it got away! Grian was only focused on getting to Jimmy and getting them both back on the ship.

But Jimmy was shaking his head as Grian continued to swim up to him. In fact- he seemed to be moving further away…!

Jimmy’s face twisted into something painful and almost apologetic. “Grian, I’m sor–!”

A large red fin flashed out of the water and-... Jimmy was gone.

Grian stared at the place where Jimmy had been. 

He could hear his friends’ shouts, muffled and distant to his ears. His stare was hollow and empty as the rhythmic noise slowly faded into nothingness. The monster was gone, and it had taken Jimmy with it.

Grian’s whole world had shattered in a heartbeat.

He didn’t hear himself scream, agony ripping out of his chest. He didn’t stop until his throat gave out.

—————

It had been at least two days since the hunters escaped from Crescent Bay.

Grian was sitting behind the large desk of the captain’s quarters, absentmindedly staring at the ceiling with his arms crossed behind his head. He was still shaken from the events at Crescent Bay, and judging by the general silence of the ship, everyone else was too, stuck processing it all like a bad nightmare that wouldn’t go away no matter how high the sun rose. 

What bothered Grian the most were that sea prince’s eyes. They were the same ones Martyn scribbled on his sketchbook, before he’d disappeared. The encounter played in his head over and over. The bellowing thunder, the flashing lightning, the echoing heartbeat–

Grian paused.

…Echoing heartbeat?

Something- some thought or distant memory was tugging on his brain. Grian sat forward, rubbing his forehead in thought. The familiar yet unfamiliar sound of a loud heartbeat drummed in his mind as he wracked his brain. He remembered that he’d heard that sound before, but the part that was bothering him was where. He drew his eyebrows together, holding both sides of his face as he sunk back into his chair.

He remembered hearing that heartbeat when he and Cleo were in the cave.

He remembered faintly hearing it faintly just before Martyn went under with that scuttler.

…He remembered hearing the noise just before Jimmy died.

Tha-thump.

Grian slowly sat up.

…There was no way….

Tha-thump.

…It couldn’t have been his imagination, could it…?

Tha-thump.

So the beast that killed Jimmy was…!

“Grian, I’m sor–!”

Grian laid his head on his desk. The echo of his memory screamed in agony. He tried not to echo it as salt stung his eyes. His throat felt torn.

A sea prince.

A sea prince killed his brother.

Grian cradled the locket he had worn buried in his shirt for so long, the last thing Jimmy ever gave him.

As soon as they caught that sea prince, he’d rip its heart out.

[imhereandexist]

[Part 2]

Tails knocks on Sonic's door and slowly opens the door. His brother was sick with a cold last week. He had brought some books to read so he could pass the time. He would have brought Amy, but she was off with Blaze. Knuckles was on Angel Island, but he did send his regards. Rouge didn't want to get sick, or at least risk getting what was left of the cold. Tails did not plan to ask nor track Shadow down. The ultimate life form wasn't someone he saw caring enough about the news. He ran into him on the way here. Apparently, he had been looking for Sonic; though he didn't say for what reason. 

He walked in and then let Shadow follow. Tails had a house and workshop attachment. It made sense for him to have that with all the projects and such he was constantly working on. Amy's home was a cottage and near the city itself. She enjoyed shopping, which made lots of sense to him. Knuckles had a cave, but that cave felt very much like a home with how he made a door from the stone. The only home that somehow had so little space, but spoke volumes on who lived here was Sonic's. 

A small hovel dug out of a quarry near a waterfall. He had a wooden door that led right into where he slept. In front of them was a fireplace with a fresh fire crackling still. To the right was a bed where Sonic currently lay fast asleep. Scattered from the floor up was nothing but the books his brother had managed to collect throughout the years. History books, fairytale stories, geographical books and behind the stack was a map of Mobius. Flags and pins in each spot where Sonic had traveled to with notes about the food and sights. It was his home and when he wasn't sick or recovering, he wasn't here. 

“He lives like this?” Shadow scoffed and crossed his arms. “No kitchen. No shower.” 

Tails walked over to his brother, “Sonic lives like the wind. Always has,” The fox picked up the latest book he had gifted to him and saw he had finished the novel of King Arthur. “I am glad you liked it.” 

The fox checked for a fever. 

“No fever. Seems it broke, good.” He set the book down onto the stack. 

He noticed Shadow taking in the entire space. It wasn't the best spot, but this is where Sonic chose to make his home base be. It was here or Tails would have Sonic over at his place. Either way, it was how they all lived for years. Shadow moved when Tails spoke about getting more medicine from the plane. Leaving him alone with Sonic. He walked closer and gently moved the blanket off Sonic to double check. Gerald made him, so he could cure Maria. He was given medical training to help ensure she would always be as healthy as possible. Even if Sonic was annoying. That side of him always kept a mindful eye on anyone who looked injured or sick. 

He felt the blue hedgehog’s head himself, “Fox was right, but you are still warm.” He moved his hand down to touch Sonic on the cheek. “hmm, it could spike back up, but only if you push yourself.” 

Shadow took a moment to look around for some form or way to declutter the spot so Sonic's body wasn't stressing over anything stupid. He could sort the pile, but that probably wasn't a serious issue for his rival. It bothered him though. He took a deep breath and got to work on that. Tails came back as he was busy doing that. The fox said nothing to him. Just focused on giving Sonic the medicine. 

“Hey, I got more meds.” Tails’s voice got Shadow to look back at the two. 

Sonic slowly woke and groaned. 

“You look exhausted. Did you go for a run?” the fox asked. 

“No, but it feels like I did,” Sonic replied while pushing himself up. “My book fell.” 

“I got it, Faker.” Shadow pulled the story of King Arthur out and set it by him. “Here.” 

“Shadow, why are you here?” Sonic's eyes had a strange look when they were pointed at him. “I can't race you in this condition.” 

“I heard from the fox you were sick.” He turned to focus on the books. “You should keep this hovel organized.” 

The look he got confused him. Sonic hadn't bothered Shadow in the last three years. He didn't even know where Sonic lived, let alone if he had a house. Sometimes he'd find the annoying pest in a random field, fast asleep. The few times he spotted him awake was when he just stood staring off into the distance. Before he even took a step towards his rival though, it was like Sonic felt his presence and he was gone in seconds. At first it was nice to not have the blue pest running circles around him. Now, he found himself frequently at the haunts Sonic once went to. Not that he would be there or ever show up. 

“Anyways, here.” Tails got Sonic to drink the medicine. “Oh and I got that history book you wanted about the knights and stuff. More to read while you rest up.” 

“Thanks, you're the best, Tails.” Sonic laughed. “I should be fine soon.” 

That laugh felt hollow. Why was it hollow? Shadow knew how that Faker worked. He knew that annoyingly chipper laugh to always be a staple of who Sonic was. And while that hollow laugh fooled Tails. It didn't fool him. He finished organizing the stack and turned to face them.

“You sure you won't need more space to recover?” Shadow crossed his arms. 

“I'll be fine,” Sonic nodded to him. “You two won't see me zip away as you leave.” 

The blue blur snuggled back under with his next book. It was the most on edge he had seen Sonic be around him. Tails had his rival alittle relaxed, but he was closed off to him. Did the three years fracture that so quickly? 

“If you need anything, call someone,” Shadow turned to leave. He didn't have time to worry about pitiful emotions like that. 

“I'll call Tails or he'll know to come by. Like he always does,” Sonic informed him as he left. 

Tails followed Shadow out and closed the door first. Then headed to the plane. 

“Just so you know, Shadow. I got a good sense when it comes to his health. He won't get worse. You don't have to do anything you hate doing. Sonic and I know you hate him.” The fox climbed into the plane. “I can take care of my brother just fine. You should just go wherever you want. The worlds your oyster.” 

Before he could speak, Tails had the plane rolling away and up in the air. Leaving him to stand alone outside Sonic's place. The black and red hedgehog looked back at the door. A hovel in the ground, hidden away so not even Eggman could find him. No enemy would ever think to find let alone look at this place. He was completely secure. 

“This is pointless,” Shadow teleported away. 

________________________________________________________________

Sonic could sense Shadow lingering outside his door for a while. Especially after his brother took off. The second he was gone. The blue hedgehog slowly sat up. He reached under his pillow and pulled two quills out. He first thought the book and story he had lived was all a dream. The time he went into the stories of the Arabian knights was proven to be real when he returned to his little home. The book was nothing but empty pages, but once he beat Erazor. They were once again full of stories. This time, it felt like a fever dream. Going into a world of the knights of all things. 

Especially when he found Caliburn. Merlina and that sword both could tell he wasn't feeling quite the best. Of all the colds he had, this had to be the worst one yet. The fight with Lancelot had him shaking after his victory. The black knight that looked so much like Shadow helped him recover just enough to continue the journey. He half expected Sir Lancelot to leave once he was stable. Instead, the black knight stuck around. The two talked, helped people and even found a way to beat the real antagonist of the story. With Merlina out of the way, he was crowned king of all things. He did his best to say he would have to leave Camelot for other adventures though. That way, he could spare them the trouble and have another king for them to serve. 

They didn’t believe him. Lancelot did. The two had grown so close. When Sonic didn't leave right away and he had to settle into the role given. That knight stuck by him and guided him so much. Even if it was his job, Sonic felt his heart skip a beat whenever he saw him. Before he left, Lancelot and him did something most hedgehogs don't do in his time. After explaining what his time was like to the knight, he went to pull a single quill out. He pulled two. Lancelot laughed. He actually got the black knight to laugh. The darker black and red hedgehog took off his helmet and visor first. Then plucked a dark red and darker black quill from his head. 

‘No matter how far time takes you. No matter what the books in your time say. My heart will always be yours, My Liege.’ Lancelot's words echoed in his mind. 

Sonic carefully put the two quills behind his left ear. He was sure they would eventually stick right away. He made sure he could feel the prick into his head. Normally, quills would glow and have an energy that supposedly would connect the one who wore it. It was said you could change the others' mood, approval…and such. He never bothered to do so with other hedgehogs though. It left him unable to confirm the theories. 

Since Lancelot was dead in his time. The quills just looked normal. No energy glowed, but they weren't exactly dead either. He couldn't feel any connection, but the dead can't feel from beyond the grave. He layed back down and chose to return to his book. The medicine given to him always made him sleep for extended periods of time. Best to make sure he could rest and not get antsy. The medicine also worked fast. 

_______________________________________________________________

Shadow groaned as he found himself in front of Sonic's home, again. He just checked on him two days ago. Sonic was fine! Tails had this covered. There was no need to check on the pest. His mind said to leave. To walk away and go elsewhere, but his body refused to move away. He took a deep breath and pulled the door open. Ducking in once again and closing it behind him. 

Sonic was once again out. The tale of King Arthur, a history book on Knights and now a graphical book on the castle and what had been found all scattered on the floor. The fire was dying out. The blue pest was shivering in his sleep, but the medicine had a strong grip on him. Shadow got closer and checked for a fever. 

“None, but you are too cold,” Shadow whispered, pulling the blanket over Sonic. “I could try to relit the fire, but that won't do much.” 

He crossed his arms and looked at Sonic again. Something was tucked behind his ear. The dim firelight made it hard to tell, but it looked to be quills sticking out of place. 

“Unkempt quills, you need a shower to freshen up,” He sighed. “These meds must be used to make sure you actually sleep.” 

He grabbed the books Sonic had been reading and with ease got them to his place. They were set on the coffee table. If he was going to have the pest sleep here, then he would need clean linens on the couch. Keep it germ free for other guests, if he ever chose to actually let them in. He went back and made sure nothing had changed, but it was the same as before. Only the fire light was dimming quickly as was the warmth in the small space. Carefully, Shadow managed to scoop his rival up into his arms. The blanket didn't fall, but it hung loose. It only fell when he was in his place. Hitting the floor as he walked towards the bathroom. He could clean it later. The only downside to having a sick hedgehog was certain things were considered sacred. Shoes were fine to pull off. Everyone did it. Gloves were reserved for more intimate partners. It was a thing most Mobians would do when they wanted to express more than just platonic relations. 

He didn't feel that way towards someone who annoyed him. No, it was just an annoyance because he had to get them clean. That's all this anger and flustered feeling was. The intimacy and nothing more. Not even nurses did this, but if he wanted Sonic to be healthy. They had to come off. It was for his patient's health. That's all this was! So being flustered over such a thing was silly and his heart needed to stop pounding a mile a minute. A sound from Sonic's wrist went off. Tails was calling. 

“Sonic? Are you okay?” Where are you?” 

Shadow pulled the communicator off, “I have him at my place. He needs a bath and some food. I'll take it from here.” 

“Oh, really? Are you sure Shadow? Last I heard, you didn't…”

“I know what I said, listen to what I am saying now. I have medical knowledge for even the most basic of illnesses. I got his care covered. Focus on your own health before you catch his cold.” Shadow firmly stated then hung up. 

He had to readjust his hold for that call. Sonic was leaning against the sink cabinet of the bathroom. Temperatures for everyone were different. He liked having the water be tpid. He always ran naturally hot, and having hot water as a show always irked him afterwards. Rouge loved hot showers though. She always had the bathroom mirror fogged up. He didn't know about the others. Amy mentioned her shower routine once as part of her skincare routine. It was just hard to recall the exact Temperature she prefered. Sonic and Tails kept that information amongst many other details to each other. 

He got the water to be a bit hotter than his normal temperature and turned to Sonic. The meds still had the blue pest asleep. Somehow, Tails had found a medication that knocked his brother out. Even when Shadow had to carry, move and adjust. Nothing woke him. The only signs of life were the constant sounds of breathing in and out. He easily pulled Sonic's shoes and socks off. No fuss and yet, he struggled to pull the gloves off. This was for the patient. It just happened to be Sonic, that's all this was! Why was this the hardest struggle?! Shadow took a deep breath and pulled both off before he changed his mind. He got Sleeping Blue into the bath and started washing him. 

With the bright lights, he managed to scrub each spot. Making sure to be gentle about it so that Sonic wouldn't wake up sore. Right around the quills is where he had to take a scrub brush and get them managed. During this process, a splash of color caught his attention. Two quills clearly stuck so deep into Sonic's head that not even the water itself pried them loose. The brush didn't either. One was black, but it was darker than his own back quills and the other was a darker, almost maroon red. Those weren’t his and he knew other hedgehogs existed. None had his colors. Not to his knowledge at least. Most Mobians were bright colored. Very rarely did he ever see a dark color. So, where did Sonic find these two random quills? He scoffed and kept working until Sonic was actually decent. The gloves and socks would have to be washed. 

Drying Sonic was easy and getting him set up on the couch with clean linens and pillows was just as easy. It was the lingering thought that he had to get the gloves washed and dried. A process he hoped Sonic didn't wake up from. While waiting for that to finish up, Shadow took to reading through the books his rival had focused on. Some pages had the corners folded. He scowled and fixed that with random slips of paper instead. Ruining a book like that. How rude and basic. One page marked was on the Black Knight from the storybook. It was the only one that seemed to really catch Sonic’s sudden attention. Now, it had his. Something was different about the history book. 

Sir Lancelot's picture from when he read it last. Before, the Knight’s Visor was down. Shadow had read this book at least two years ago. He wasn't sure how or why the Black Knight and him had similar colors, but they did. Albeit darker tones for the knight than his brighter red and black. This time, the visor was up. The Knight's expression was softer and under the left gauntlet, poking out just enough. Two bright blue quills. Sparking with the energy Sonic would have. Shadow looked up from the book towards Sonic. 

“Did you go for a run?” Tails's question lingered. 

“No, but it feels like it,” Sonic's reply repeated.

“Did the book…” He got up and close to check the quills. Then checked the illustration. “How did you two meet?” 

Rouge burst in, “Howdy Handsome!” She cheered out. “Care for a drop in!” 

Shadow quickly closed the book and looked at her, “It's called knocking.” 

The bat spotted Sonic asleep on the couch, “Why is Blue here? The fox said he was sick.” 

“He is. He needed a bath. So I took care of it.” Shadow returned to his chair to keep reading. 

“Oh, reading the history book huh? Quite the change,” She cooed, hovering over him. 

Shadow just growled. 

“What? You haven't read the best parts yet. Even the tale got changed. The Black Knight pining for a lover whose masters are the wind and whim,” Rouge romantically spoke. “Always serving one king, even after Arthur left Camelot for more adventures.” 

“What are you spewing about now?” Shadow asked, looking at her. 

“I went to Sonic two days ago. Had to confirm from the fox he was sick and I was delivering some medicine. If I get sick, I'll handle the kit myself. As for Blue, he was awake and we got to talking. He said he wasn't sure if what he went through was a fever dream anymore. It felt real, but now the book wasn't allowing him back in and the title had changed to include him.” She told him. “And it did, I saw the copy he owns and then I saw others. They all include him in the story.” 

Shadow searched the pile of books and found the fairytale. It had Sonic's name in the title. He glanced at the quills' location. Sonic did something. Whether of his own volition or not, he got pulled back in time. While sick and helped out somehow. No wonder it was taking longer to recover. He did run, but because danger was at his heels. 

“I see,” Shadow took a deep breath. “Regardless, I have his care handled. I do have a question for you. What do y'know about exchanging quills?” 

“Hmm? Oh, that old thing? Lots. Back when Hedgehogs mostly lived in one location, some couldn't always find materials for rings and such. And if they did, bartering and trading only got them so far when it came to the task of making such an object,” She shrugged with no hint of sympathy but clearly aware it was how the times were. “Eventually, they started to exchange their quills and would wear them on the left side. If it was behind the ear, then they were proposed too. The ones that had them on the left wrist were the ones who proposed. It was such a romantic gesture.” 

Shadow looked at Sonic's left ear and then at the book in his hands. Both had put them on the left. 

“Supposedly though, if the partner was killed or died then the quills would become dull in color and the only way they're still alive is if the partner pierced their skin just enough to keep them alive. Meaning, any who put it in deep enough could carry their love for all their life.” The bat landed. “your brethren made such a sweet gesture, its a shame some corrupted it.” 

“Corrupted?” He stared at her oddly. “What…what exactly does that mean? They just switched qulls.” 

“They say it could influence the other. Their moods, habits…and in some cases, they could feel their partner, no matter how far they were. Some used it for nefarious purposes and the ritual was lost to time. Some still remember it, but those who lived through those horrid moments always shame those who perform such a thing.” 

Shadow grunted and let her continue. 

“If I remember right, the books now say Lancelot always had two blue quills under his left wrist and would never bring his partner up, but they often caught him smiling whenever they lit up. I'm not saying it was Sonic, but it seems convincing if Lancelot never sired children or married. He always claimed to be already taken,” She shrugged once more. “whoever claimed his heart got so lucky~. I want a knight.” 

He just gave her a deadpan stare, “is that all you know?” 

“One more thing. Dead quills don't drop. Supposedly, if they are kept alive then it means that love is lost but never forgotten. If they have the quills directly behind the ear and they are dark. Their soulmate was taken from them.” She winked at him. 

“Why…” He felt his face heat up. “Rouge!” 

“Relax Handsome. It's only an old ritual. You asked about it.” She laughed as she flew toward the door. “I'll be off. Take care of Blue for us~.” 

She closed the door and Shadow just sat down and growled. He took a deep breath and looked up. Those quills are not directly by the ear. They were close by. That must have meant his love was dead. Shadow got up and out of mild curiosity, plucked his own blue quill. The action didn't even wake his maybe unwanted company. He sat down on the coffee table and examined what he took. The energy that cracked was weaker than it normally was. Was it because Sonic was that sick? It was rare he had actually seen his rival taken down to bedrest. Whatever the reason for the weakened energy, it didn't fit the image. It also unsettled him for some stupid reason. 

“Since it seems you need to be watched so thoroughly during these times,” Shadow pulled one red quill out. He chose the right ear and tucked it directly behind it. “I can keep tabs on you.” 

He stuck it under his right glove. He had to check on Sonic's gloves and socks. Then he could have his house guest leave when he felt better. 

[theridge1979]

[selitoxicmoon]

Dragon Kingdom Map - Main Lands

From my current project linked to my dragon adopts, I did the Dragon World Map! I'm gonna give some summary of each region, not one per name bc that would take forever :> Still there'll be a second map which would show the floating islands, where Wind Dragons Region resides plus other kind of dragons!

FIELDS OF GAIA: Mostly all the lands and forest of the "PURE LANDS" which separate the "DARK LANDS" with the Shield of Helios (built by the Light Empire and enchanted by the Arcane Dragons under their command). The Fields of Gaia is the center where all connect and of course, the reign of Nature Dragons... which have some issues with the Fire Region.

SNOWMOUNTS: The high mountains of the lands, with ice peaks and snowy forests. Where Ice Dragons reside... and share a bit with some Electric Dragons in Storm Tops.

BLAZING CRATERS: A burning warm crater, close to the Sun Apex and conquering part of the forests (where Nature Dragons are in argument with Fire Dragons), with a ring of fire around the biome to stop the forests to burn. This biome is shared with Metal Dragons, Creek of Steel and Crystal Caves are a place for them... while there are also Metal Dragons sharing land with Electric Dragons in Prism Islands.

SUN APEX: Where the Light Empire reside as well their god Solar Dragon, Helios. High mountains with cliffs of paradise where there can't snow due to the light of sun warming the grounds, between Light Passage and Solar Kingdom there is a city where all dragons share, walk, work and more. Phoenix's Judgement is a killing cliff where traitors, heretics and corrupted minded souls are thrown, killed or judged... while Helios presence the acts and begs of the unlucky. The Toxic Islands, right down them, are unreachable and forbidden to get into or if you get spotted you will be judged or killed in sight; Toxic Islands are a place where nobody knows what's going on in there, only Light Dragons know, besides... they do not recommend it either due to "safety" as the islands have a toxic fog around them (not even Water Dragons can get close as the waters are toxic as well).

OASIS: The country lands of the Desert Dragons, a place way too hot but they feel is kinda comfy. They've got a little lake of warm waters in the middle, full of cactus and palm trees, some sandy mountains, and an archipelago full of caves (Skull Caves). Slider Peak is a mountain which river falls as a spiral, so as the name slider... you can guess what they tend to do. STONE TOWN: Where Earth Dragons reside, their region takes place mostly close to the ocean. They share lands with Desert Dragons, Fire Dragons, Water Dragons and Honey Dragons (as their biggest house hive is on Amber Isle). Pacific Beach is the place where all dragons decide to go to the beach to refresh themselves and be social with each other, a good trip there is sure a worth it.

DARK WILDS: Outside the Shield, the exiliated grounds, the dark lands (too many names). From a green valley, turns into a grey forest where there are 3 paths, the Ledge of Choice (where a tribe of exiliated dragons reside in hope for a choice of keep surviving or end their hopeless lives) or the Moonlight Bay (where resides the goddess Lunar Dragon, Selene). Whispering Fields are a foggy wilderness where you might hear screams, whispers and echoes close by... yeah, Fear Dragons. Close from the Ledge of the Choice, the Shadow Forest, a black forest with night creatures and infested of shadows, you might think it's dangerous... but appearances lie.

JUNGLE MAZE: Center of the Dark Lands, this is a foggy tropical maze, a jungle of poison and disgrace, one of the most dangerous places to be in. Some old ruins reside around... maybe from the Forerunner era? Also, the Silent Swamp, the name isn't like that for fun, the most dangerous creatures sleep under those waters and ya better be around once they're awake. Close by there is part of the river leaving to a different direction and turned into a blood river, Blood Twist, a place where Blood dragons reside and share a vampiric tribe with some dragons. South of them, the Aether Strike, a crater from the second Aether thunder strike which created a mini biome of purple grounds and flora. In the opposite side, the Phantom Mountain, a place where is not recommended to pass through as well some paranormal events happen in there. Then, the Snake's Throat, a place where are the most "sane" Tropical Dragons sharing place with a Mystical Dragon under the waterfalls (river's end).

ASH LANDS: Also named as Burning Lands, a place with Hot Springs zones and lava rivers. Vulcano is the name of the volcano that resides there which is mostly awake, but Magma Dragons and Smoke Dragons do not mind that at all. In difference with Blazing Craters, there is only sleeping craters. Beach of Ashes is how the name is, a beach which sand is actually cinders and ashes from the volcano biome. Left to them, Obsidian Mountain, a pure mineral island, explorers tend to go there for minerals, usually Metal Dragons; above 'em the Petrified Islands, a desertic place where there's no color and only skeletons and dead flora, nobody knows how or why but looks like the place is haunted as the name says.... there are petrified dragons and creatures... is there a ghost? But what all brave visitors had in common, and neighbours (Magma and Smoke Dragons) is that there are strange creatures, shadows lurking by... just when there is only one looking.

DESTINY'S REACH: Where Time Dragons and Arcane Dragons reside, a place of peace, performance and knowledge share (also guarded by the Kronos Gates and enchanted). They are ready for anything, a beach of white sand (just like in the Moonlight Bay) to share with Water Dragons, The End's Refugee (a big cave under the mountain as a bunker if something happens but also for homeless dragons in search of need and care) and the Library of Existence where a big temple full of books remains (the most important place in the whole planet). They share land with the Sound Dragons in the Top of Rhythm and the Harmony Islands, a glowy archipelago of shiny waters due to the glowing plankton living in there. As well, the Night Light Reef, a glowing dark paradise where usually Hidden Light Dragons hide, but they are accepted in the Destiny's Reach as well.

BEYOND KNOWN: Here is where we become... a bit darker. Passing the Astral Path (under water path broken underneath it into an abyss), we arrive to a land... where nothing but ruins and weird looking flora is around. No living creature is there, not even dragons... or is what you think, the cold and the silence chill your bones and can become a torture of loneliness out there, this place is a treasure of the past and Forerunner relics but... at what cost? Very few managed to come back... Only Ice Dragons could, as well, they can see the big island from their region, and those landscapes through the Icy Edge, is a shivering bad feeling (not even Astral Dragons wanted to get their paws into that land, what do they know that we don't?).

DARK SECTOR: Getting more far away from the white sands, comes the second most dangerous place (almost same danger level as the Hell Gates Abyss). The Dark Sector was named as such for the paranormal looking creatures and corrupted lands, who tried to go to the Dark Sector... couldn't come back in one piece (or not even come back). Some say is a place of evil, of souless creatures and cursed place. While others explorers that did had the bravery in group to search inside the place, slowly getting darker, and the world, the sky... is gone; only a gasp, a thin sound of your breath... and the rest is death, you become a part of the land, dead or alive. A quiet place... where the place curse your mind and your body slowly, corrupting you, consuming you until you die, or become part of this paranormal place.

FORBIDDEN ISLAND: The name says it, and the look of it curses and brings shivers to anyone who it looks at it. This island is completely unknown, nobody knows what resides, what happens, if there is life or not. Some name the island "The Curse" or "The Never Return", but only water dragons could reach the place, a place where the light of the sun never reaches, a place where only silence is there, everything is dark, black and slowly if you keep watching, eyes are gonna be looking at you, slowly approaching you on each blink... until you see nothing but your lungs collapsing from lack of oxygen. Nobody can go there, only if curiosity kills you in the act. A little fact, Magma and Smoke dragons are the ones that see most of the paranormal activities in the area of the islands nearby, as they report... it seem those cursed lands are slowly cursing the Ash Lands.

Thanks for reading, for any curious question you've got... comment! I'm enjoying so far this fun project of world-building :> I hope you do as well! There'll be more!

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[grrl-beetle]

Stone Island Shadow Project

[ultrajtb]

Making day 4 a bit later than normal. Sorry guys, I’m a bit sick.

So wrapping up origins today because I’ve run out of characters that I think are necessary to include

So hypno steve

I originally planned on fully overhauling the design, but found it to be really difficult with how complex the skin is, so I opted to give him faint steve detailing on the body, some hair, and brighter colors.

In terms of story, nothing really changes. He’s still an experiment created by dark with the ability to manipulate a person’s mind. Really all I want to do with him is expand slightly on how he was made.

So basically, Dark butchered several steves and stitched bits and pieces of them together to make hypno. He then infused a bit of shadow stone alongside several more steves to give his creation life. Unfortunately for dark, Hypno was fully aware of what he was, and more importantly, who each part of himself was before the experiment.

In the end, dark couldn’t control hypno because every part of Hypno wanted vengeance on him. This ended in dark having to lock him inside a machine for his own safety.

Months after the experiment went wrong, Sabre and blue steve stumble upon the island that dark did everything on, eventually finding a lever that they flip to see what happens, inadvertently turning off the machine and freeing Hypno from his stasis.

Hypno quickly finds the two and starts messing with them, starting out small by making them hear each other in different directions, separating the two. Hypno proceeds to focus on rainbow, having a fascination with him since he too is a combination of steves. He starts probing Rainbow’s mind, searching his memories and dreams. He then projects a twisted image of what rainbow wants to the hero, showing him a world ruled and corrupted by him. A world of nothing but rainbow color. Hypno joins him under the guise of blue Steve, explaining what this world is.

Rainbow is obviously horrified by it, which convinces hypno of his intentions. However, rainbow freaks out and starts trying to attack hypno out of fear, which ends up with him actually attacking blue Steve in reality. Hypno, now sure of Rainbow, leaves for the time being.

Hypno’s story ends when Rainbow is at his lowest. His best friend is dead, nightmare is stronger than ever, and he still doesn’t know how to use his powers. Hypno makes him the offer to put him into a deep, trance-like sleep for generations to allow him to build up power. Rainbow accepts, giving hypno the remaining artifacts. After putting rainbow to sleep, hypno destroys the artifacts, feeling that they had no more use.

From then on, he’d act as a sort of guardian from the shadows; forcing himself to stay alive until Rainbow safely reawoke, at which point he finally let go and allowed himself to move on.

Yes I’m taking hypno out of the actual steve saga. He made a single appearance and honestly it kind of ruined the moment for me when he did.

So finally starting the actual steve saga with the main character himself, Sabre

Now, I actually have 2 redesigns for him

The left one is obviously a proper redesign, keeping the chicken body while making it look a bit more detailed. Fun fact about the chicken skin, Sabre has said before that it isn’t actually a onesie. It’s in fact, his face on a humanoid chicken’s body. I just think that’s funny.

So design 2 on the right is based on his modern skin. I felt like the chicken skin was a bit goofy so I put together a fully human one that I think looks pretty nice.

Shared design traits between the two are reshaded/recolored hair and a blue blindfold

So starter lore. Sabre enters the steve world, discovers the steves, and out of curiosity starts making machines to see how they work. He eventually meets and captures the awakened rainbow, and accidentally breaks him during his experimentation. This makes rainbow more hostile towards him as well as begins a slow decay from the damage, corrupting him more and more over time

That’s all I have for today. Lmk if it’s any good

Have a good day/night guys

[sweetlittlebrie]

AAAAHHHH

Ever since I thought about the possibility of a two parter for the third Sonic movie I have been thinking on a fun and cute and cool-ish way to introduce Amy! (Bc it sucks asssss that Amy isn’t in it)

But anyways…I’ll try my best to write this out in (shitty) script format just to make up for her lack in appearance

So, let’s say…Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles have been struggling so much against Shadow that GUN seeks out Agent Stone since idk Eggman isn’t reachable or he’s betrayed them all.

So they get Agent Stone to what remains of Prison Island(or another prison).

They’re walking him down from the very entrance of the prison explaining how they’re using desperate measures by not just seeking his help but also by using the help of another prisoner.

It then cuts to weights being lifted

Colonel: We wouldn’t even think of asking ‘you’ for help, much less using our most dangerous prisoner….but we can’t even think of reason at the moment

GUN Agent: He’s right. This prisoner….we just can’t control. No matter what we do, they're just....

Cut to a different set of weights being lifted and then being dropped to emphasize the strength~

Stone: What makes them so dangerous? And how do you know that they’ll actually be able to help us?

GUN Agent: Their power is immense and they seem to have….a sixth sense.

Colonel: Not only that, but we’ve lost six of our greatest agents when they tried to make them work for us.

Cut to a giant, patched up punching bag swing off its chain.

Stone: But will they help us?

Cut to a glitter pen with a fuzzy ball being used to write in a pink diary with a small glimpse of Tarot cards to the side

Colonel, GUN Agent, and Stone standing in front of a large locked door guarded by GUN Soldiers. When opened by a Soldier, reveal a second door with reinforced bars. To then open to the third and final door of prison bars and reinforced glass. Colonel and GUN Agent take deep breathes and it cuts to the other soldiers sweating while taking a quick peek inside. Stone has a face of determination but is then stunned to see….a small pink hedgehog writing at a white desk inside a pink decorated room.

Stone: this….is….our last resort?

Colonel: So help us….

Amy(pouting): I thought I told you all to knock.

GUN Soldier: Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! Ms Rose, we’re just-oh this is- We’re so sorry!

Amy: it’s okay, just don’t forget. I was in the middle of writing.

Stone, still in disbelief and now confused over the Soldier’s reaction doesn’t say anything.

Colonel: Ms. Rose we need your help. Please.

Amy looks at them and then at Stone.

Amy:Whose he? I’ve never seen him before.

GUN Agent: Oh my apologies! This is Agent Stone.

Agent Stone finally gets out of his stupor and reaches out his for her to shake. Amy looks at it and then shakes it. One of them tries to utter out “Don’t” but it’s too late and Stone’s hand is crushed and he falls to his knees.

Amy: Oh whoops sorry! I just got done working out and forgot to hold back. I’m sorry!

Stone: …..that’s…….o…Kay….

Colonel: We don’t have time to waste. We’ll fix your hand in a minute. Ms. Rose let me explain. These three in this picture need your help in taking down Project Shadow. We need to get you to them ASAP.

GUN Agent: We are momentarily releasing you on the basis that You will help Us. No funny business…please?

Amy, not paying attention since being shown the picture of the three heroes and shows that her line of sight is drawn much more to Sonic.

Stone: Can I get some help here?

Colonel (not paying attention to Stone): Ms. Rose….will you help us?…..Ms. Rose! Ooh sorry didn’t mean to-

Amy(dazed, quickly responds, while holding on to the picture): Yeah sure whatever.

Colonel: That’s wonderful! And we will even give you back your prized hammer.

Stone: What’s a hammer gonna do?

GUN Soldier (radios in): bring it in.

Two soldiers with a large muscle build are wheeling a cart down a hall which pans up to Amy’s hammer. But they need help wheeling it in explaining that they’re tired and are only just outside the entrance. The Colonel rolls his eyes and tells them to bring it. The GUN Agent signals them ‘let’s go’ with their hands. Amy seeing this rolls her eyes and says it’s okay and “Phwoom”, her Pico Pico Hammer is in her hands! The Colonel and the Gun Agent look at her and ask (in a scared voice): have you been able to do that this whole time?

Amy: Oh yeah! I’ve just been nice about it.

The Colonel then recomposes himself: Okay, Ms Rose. Agent Stone. I want all us to work together in taking down Project Shadow. No funny business got it.

Amy and Agent Stone look at each other then at the Colonel: Got it!

Both of them have a hand behind their back crossing their fingers. Both with their own ideas of going about their handling with GUN.