HOME | DD

Description
"Until the End of Forever"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 10: No More Easy Choices

   The stars continued to twinkle over the rather chaotic night; they shone down on Jeremy and Amberly as they sped back to Station Square on his motorcycle.  The stars’ dim light also lit the air around Aranelion, Camillia, Elianaron and Airelea as they sat together in the bed of his ruined truck, waiting for Jeremy to return, and until then doing their best to keep the light of Zachary’s chaos emerald alive, though Elianaron nodded off to sleep once or twice as he held a slumbering Airelea in his lap.

   Meanwhile, Kashoku and the others had to forge on without them.  As the Celestial Emerald flew through the sky towards the Chaos Energy’s signal, Kashoku ran at a furious pace to keep up with it.  In life, he was one of the fastest echidnas ever to walk the world, but now, with only a temporary shell to protect his soul, this same speed was slowly undoing him.  Still, he continued onward, not concerned for his own well-being anymore, and only thinking of Mikomi and the rest, especially poor Amarie, who he saw so much of his own daughter within her eyes, even his dear wife Mitsukai.

   And yet, not even Kashoku could truly fathom gift the world was giving Mikomi in return for all the sacrifices he had made in her name, defending her peace, order and happiness.  Giving him a second chance at life was a precious miracle few would ever know, and at the same time, he was also earning Kate’s love and trust, while Kate earned his in return.

   After a couple of hours, sleeping soundly as Kate held him close, Mikomi began to rouse once more.  He opened his eyes slowly, first taking a deep breath as he shook off the slumber.  As he did so, he picked up an unusual aroma.  He had not forgotten what had happened with Kate earlier that night; infact dreams about her only deepened this love for her that was erupting in his heart.  However, he had not noticed this unique scent about her, and realized that as time passed, he had stopped giving so much notice to a person’s scent and aura as he became more and more mortal.

   He looked up at her, and then down, and murmured, “Maybe it’s almost time.  Maybe soon I’ll be able to fight with all my strength and help set them free.”

   He realized she was asleep, still with one arm around him.  A smile came to his lips, and yet at the same time he remembered his sister’s plight.  Back in that bedroom she was in labor, and premature labor at that, and Mikomi was disgusted that there was still nothing that he could do.  He stood up slowly and carefully, not wanting to wake up Kate, and walked over to the door, remembering that Jacob was on the other side guarding it.

   Sitting down beside the door, he whispered, “Hey, Jacob…are you awake out there?”

   “Quiet you,” was what he heard in response.  “I’m not going to be tricked by your deception as Kate was.  You’re not getting out of there.”

   Mikomi closed his eyes; realizing he could still read auras, he did his best to read Jacob’s.  While his power was different from those of his Uncle, Hidama, he could recognize the same thing.  Jacob was not being controlled by Jackie; he was acting of his own free will, and yet was corrupted so terribly he could care about no one except for her.  He had even forgotten his sorrow at losing his sons.  What Mikomi wondered, was if Jacob was too far gone to be saved.

   He replied, “No, it’s nothing like that Jacob.  I know you’d never disobey Jackie…she has taken care of you after all.”  He paused, wondering how to continue, and added, “Do you…remember exactly how she came to be your savior?  Kate tells me that Jackie was the one who killed your sister and your sons…and yet she spared you and Kate for some unknown reason.  What are your thoughts on that?”

   On the other side of the door, Jacob jumped up from his seat and shouted, “Don’t you EVER say that again!  Kate is a liar, deceived by your malice!  Jackie saved me from dying, and she also saved that miserable girl Kate, only to be betrayed by her!  I serve Jackie because she loves me and saved me from certain death!”

   “Okay, okay!  Calm down Jacob!  I don’t know the whole story!  I just wanted to hear your side of it!” Mikomi cried softly.

   This was enough to wake up Kate.  She looked and saw Mikomi sitting by the door, talking to her uncle, and angering him at the same time.  Horrified, she cried, “No Mikomi!  Just leave him alone!  It’s impossible to get through to him now!” as she ran to Mikomi’s side.

   Jacob heard this, and he shouted, “You traitor!  I hope you’re happy!  You side with the opposition and you suffer for it!  I wash my hands of you forever!”

   As she sat down beside Mikomi, Kate whimpered, “That’s fine with me Uncle Jacob.  You no longer love me, nor do you even care about your three sons.  You can just marry Jackie for all I care, I’m sure your poor wife won’t mind, just as much as you no longer care for her.  All I know is my mother would not want me to hurt her friends, and Mikomi is one of them.  You may not remember Hidama or even care about him anymore, but I won’t cause him or his loved ones any harm after all he did for you and Mother when you were young.”

   This was enough to silence Jacob for the moment, and Mikomi added, “That’s right Jacob…it was Hidama that saved you when you were a child.  When you and Olivia were just children you met him in prison, and he kept you alive all those years…and you did the same for him.  I’m not your enemy Jacob…I want to repay you the favor.  You did so much for my uncle…you saved his life, and I want to do the same for you and Kate.  Kate’s told me that Jackie has done nothing towards finding the ones who killed your family, while that is one of my main concerns.  My family and friends would never wish something so vicious on you.  Can’t you give faith a chance?  Don’t you want to be free again?  That’s something you and Uncle Hidama wanted forever, and now you’re imprisoned again.  Don’t you want to be free again, like your wife and sons are?”

   He didn’t get a reply from Jacob, and let out a sigh, leaning against the door.  Kate scooted up next to him and said, “It’s no use Mikomi; I’ve tried talking him out this haze, but he won’t listen.  The solution always ends with Jackie.”

   Mikomi didn’t answer; he had closed his eyes and was leaning his head against the door, trying to get a deeper read on Jacob’s aura.  He winced as if he had to struggle with it, before opening his eyes and saying, “The corruption has gone so deep even his aura, the very essence of his soul, has gone sour.  …Still, the deep core of his soul is still untainted.  There’s got to be a way we can awaken that desire in him to be free.”

   “I…I am free,” Jacob said at last.

   Returning his attention to the door, Mikomi shook his head and whispered, “No you’re not Jacob.  This isn’t the way your wife would want you to be.  Her spirit is not angry with you Jacob; she wants to be with you again in the light of the afterlife, and so does your sister.  You have to abandon this dark prison first before you can be with her again.  Isn’t that what you want?”

   After a few more moments, it appeared that Jacob was breaking down.  With a shaky voice, he whispered, “I—I don’t know.  Leave me alone.”

   Mikomi let out a sigh.  Looking to Kate, he said, “I don’t remember Heaven, but I know that his wife and your mother would have expressed the desire for me to save him.  I just don’t know what I can do.  Perhaps Kashoku and the Celestial Emerald can help.  I’m just happy your soul, your aura, is free.”

   Kate didn’t answer him at first, resting her head on his shoulder, still tired, and letting out a sigh.  Mikomi put his arm around her, not speaking again in search of a response, but instead letting the silence cradle their weary spirits.

   Finally, Kate looked up at Mikomi and asked, “Is that your power Mikomi?  Reading auras?”

   He looked at her, smiled a bit and said, “Well, actually, as powerful as my uncle is, I was born with no special power to speak of.  When I came back here I discovered I could read auras.  It was the way I identified people at first.  Like, with Amarie, I could read the aura of her baby, and identify Pyro as the father when I found part of his aura in the baby’s.  That’s also how I recognized my father and uncle at first.  I was wondering if it would go away when I became mortal, but I can still read auras as well as I did at the beginning, so maybe I won’t lose it.”

   She sat up a bit, holding on to Mikomi’s arm for stability, and then asked, “Can you read my aura?  I mean…is that all it’s good for…being able to tell who people are related to?”

   Mikomi laughed softly and said, “Well no…actually, you can tell a lot from someone’s aura…at least that’s what Kashoku said.  I’m still learning to use my power.  You can tell if someone is good or bad, just like I did with your uncle.  I know he is good on the inside, even though his soul is clouded with a haze of evil.  Kashoku even told me you can find your twin soul by reading auras.”

   “Twin soul?  What is that all about?” Kate asked.

   “Well…it’s just another phrase that means soul mate,” Mikomi said, looking into Kate’s green eyes as he said it.  Once she returned the gaze, he added, “When I met Zachary, I recognized that he was Kelsey’s soul mate.  It was part of his soul…that he was meant to grow up and fall in love with her.  Souls, no matter how far apart they begin, are destined to reunite with each other.  They may end up with the wrong people at first, but somehow, they’ll overcome everything, in order to reunite.”

   A soft blink interrupted her gaze, long enough for Kate to whisper, “Even death?”

   Mikomi was becoming lost, not in Kate’s eyes, but in her aura, which he was reading at that very moment.  In those moments, he could trace her ties to Jacob, and trace part of her aura as belonging to Heaven, the auras of her mother and father.  He saw all parts of her soul…including one, very important part.

   The part of her soul that sang the song of the life of her soul mate, was singing in reply to the song that echoed from Mikomi’s spirit.

   He couldn’t be wrong.

   Was there more to his return than saving the world once more?  Was his purpose to also touch the life of a girl who had suffered needlessly?  Was this why he was conquering death to live again?

   He had said soul mates would overcome everything to reunite.

   His smile strengthened; closing his eyes, he took a breath, then, slowly, he leaned in, kissing Kate gently rather than answering her question for the moment.

   This startled Kate for a brief moment, but once his lips reached her own, she had relaxed, closing her own eyes and returning the kiss with her own.  As they sat there, locked together for those moments, Mikomi allowed her to see his own aura, so she could understand what he could not verbalize, save through a kiss and a window to his spirit.

   Mikomi opened his eyes as he pulled away, keeping an arm around her but choosing not to speak.  He waited as Kate opened her eyes, breathing slowly as she took in all that she felt in those brief moments.  Their eyes met again, only this time she looked at him differently.  What she had seen, or rather, felt, was Mikomi’s soul calling out to her own, awakening a love for him that was part of her all along.

   It was true what he said; soul mates will overcome everything to reunite, and for such a feeling to be realized at last, even in the face of adversity, Kate couldn’t be more grateful for this.  She couldn’t be…more grateful…for Mikomi.

   Before she could speak, he nodded and whispered, “Even death,” with a smile.

   Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes.  Her smile was strong but fragile as she realized what this meant for her.  Her soul mate had died ten years ago to save her and the lives of many, only to return for the same reason, and at the same time realize the love in his own heart.

   “Oh Mikomi…,” she whimpered.

   Without another word, Mikomi pulled Kate into his arms, hugging her tightly.  He then replied, “I love you Kate…you don’t need to say it;…your soul has already sung a hymn for me, and that’s enough.”

   Kate didn’t speak, she simply embraced Mikomi tightly in return, letting herself cry as he held her.  It was such an overwhelming, and yet a miraculously wonderful experience.  It was enough for both of them to forget the danger they faced with the new day, at least for awhile.

   Finally able to find her voice, Kate murmured, “I’ve never been so happy before…I just…I wish we could have come together at a better time than this.”

   Mikomi, who for a moment had even forgotten the plight of his sister, pulled away just enough to look at Kate as he held her, and replied, “Oh Kate…don’t say that.  The point is, we found each other.  You said so yourself; everything will be alright, don’t forget that.  We’ll all make it out of this soon enough, you’ll see.”  He paused, pulling her close before adding, “And remember, soul mates will do whatever they can to be together again.  They’ll conquer death, and reunite for the last time in Heaven.  Keep that in your mind and heart, and you’ll be alright.”

   Kate let her breath go, and with it her tears.  She felt safe in Mikomi’s arms, wrapped up with his love, and so was able to take his words to heart, and feel secured by them.  She nodded very gently as she rested her head on his chest, still tired and now sleepy after all was said and done.  “I love you Mikomi,” she whispered.  It felt right.  She knew she had found her soul mate.  After this, they sat together against the door, sleeping soundly the few hours left until dawn.

   On the other side of the door, Jacob had listened to their conversation, and for some reason it helped clear the fog in his heart.  Something spoke to him, calling out to his spirit, trying to free it from the hold Jackie’s malice had ingrained upon it.  His own twin soul, though on the other side, was desperate to reunite with him, and he knew it.

   While still trapped in the darkness, Jacob began to think and speak more clearly.  He found the image of an echidna’s silhouette in his mind…someone who was once very dear to him.  He needed to help this soul, and the ones he loved; that was the right way…the way that would allow him to be happy again.

   But what…how could he do this?  Did he even want to?

   Jacob just didn’t know…not yet…and would he ever?

   The hours of the night crept on for all, and while Jackie slept soundly in her luxurious bed with a sequins-incrusted blindfold to cover her eyes, Kashoku and the others that remained in the SUVs hurried onward.  As Kashoku had predicted, as they got closer to Mikomi, the signal the Celestial Emerald received grew stronger.  Unbeknownst to Kashoku, when Mikomi and Kate realized their love for each other, the signal, even as he slept, was stronger than ever, and continued to be as the Celestial Emerald followed it.

   As Kashoku ran, the fatigue that wracked his temporary shell came to haunt him.  He knew what this meant.  He was putting it through too much too quickly.  If he wasn’t careful, it would fall apart, and his soul would be lost forever.  He knew that no one would want this, but it was something he couldn’t help.

   He had entrusted the world with far too much of his awesome powers…powers he alone could control properly.  No guardian could ever control it the way it needed to be, and was always susceptible to being controlled by it, and even destroyed them on an emotional level because of this.  It was his fault that the world was in danger and his sons and their loved ones caused pain.  No matter what it took, he would make it right.  Losing himself to the void would be only a small price to pay for the anguish he had dealt centuries of the world, even after freeing them from more of it.

   Still, he was getting to the point where he didn’t think he could take anymore, where he was beginning to wonder if he should ride with the others and follow the Celestial Emerald that way.  However, before he could entertain this possibility, the Celestial Emerald fell down into his hands, gently, rather than plummeting to earth as it did before.  He stopped, panting, as he never had before, looking at the gem, as he heard the vehicles slow to a stop behind him.

   As he heard car doors open and close, he was surprised when he heard no voices accompany them.  Expecting to hear Sonic crying out in frustration again, or for Knuckles to grow more agitated by each second that went by with no action to save his children, he instead heard the voice of Shadow, who now stepped beside him, say, “Seems the sacred gem did its job Lord Kashoku.”

   Kashoku noticed the inner glow of the gem had not died out, but instead was stronger than ever as he felt it tug on his hands, bidding him forward.  He looked up at the horizon, surprised to see a large mansion on the plain only a mile or so away.  As he ran, consumed by fatigue and racing thoughts, he had neglected to notice it looming ahead of them as they grew closer.

   Panting a brief moment for precious air, he concealed the Celestial Emerald, trying his best to smile in order to keep up everyone’s spirits.  He nodded, saying, “Indeed.  The Celestial Emerald has now pinpointed the source of the Chaos Energy.  We cannot falter now.”  He paused, turning to Kelsey and asked, “Do you think I could ride with you the rest of the way my dear?  I—I find myself weakened by this marathon.”

   Kelsey was more than willing to let Kashoku come along, but Knuckles, Hidama, and Shadow were alarmed by what he just said.  Hidama grabbed Kashoku by the arm and asked, “Are you alright Lord Kashoku?  You sound as if this temporary shell of yours is about to give out.  We can’t let that happen.”

   Knuckles and Shadow glanced at each other when Hidama spoke.  While they were worried terribly for their loved ones, Knuckles and Hidama also had concern for their first ancestor, while Shadow, wizened in the history of the world, could best understand what his soul meant for them.  While Kashoku thought he should be hated for bringing such pain upon them, Knuckles, Hidama, and all of the echidnas loved him for guiding them and bringing them to the height of their power.  They could never think cruelly of him, for he embodied the glory that all echidnas lived by until their dying days, and the thought of his spirit being lost forever was too terrible to fathom.

   Shadow stepped between Hidama and Kashoku and said, “I’m sure…he has already considered and rejected leaving Hidama.  You cannot dissuade someone with such a frightful weight on his shoulders to simply abandon making things right.”

   “Please,” Kashoku answered, “Don’t say anymore.”  He put one hand on Hidama’s shoulder, and the other on Knuckles’ shoulder as he stood before them.  “My sons, what Shadow says is true.  I—I take full responsibility for your suffering…not just tonight, but every day.  It was I who took Mikomi away from you too soon, and bringing him back only softens the wounds suffered from that tragedy.  I am responsible for the death of your father and mother, your friends, all the echidnas.  I am the one who’s to blame for your imprisonment Hidama, and your isolation Knuckles.  I am guilty of Olermere and Feldmort’s corruption.  I have killed, tortured, and hurt so many, all because…of a gift to my beloved Mitsukai…a symbol of the peace and unity that I wished for the world.”

   He now looked to all who stood before him, and continued, “I was in error…trusting the world with such a great power…power only I was born to control.  At first it was no burden to my son and his children, but Olermere and Feldmort’s downfall signaled the beginning of the end of our glory.  I could not anticipate that our days would end.  I could not entertain the idea that people would favor war and hatred over peace and love…and trust.  I was our undoing.  I amended my mistake in the Celestial Emerald, as it only serves purposes of virtue.  Yet it was too late.  So many suffered, and still suffer today.  So you see, my sons, falling victim to the void…is a small price to pay…to make things right.”

   Hidama and Knuckles looked shaken down to their foundations, and everyone around them were humbled and saddened by Kashoku’s confession, even Shadow, who believed that no one person could be blamed for the tragedies of the Master Emerald.  However, Kashoku was quick to smile, hugging Hidama and Knuckles in turn, and saying, “Do not worry for me sons of the Guardian.  I am alright now.  All I need is a bit of rest over this last league of our journey, and that is enough.”  He pulled back looking to the sinking moon, before adding, “We must hurry.  Jackie sleeps for now, but I fear that come morning she won’t hesitate to continue with her plan.”

   Without another word, Kashoku made his way to Zachary’s SUV, and the rest filed off in the same way in silence.  Hidama and Knuckles looked confused, still shaken, and unsure of what would happen if Kashoku was lost forever.  This poor soul had expressed such deep sorrow for their suffering that being lost to the void forever held no terror for him, and instead felt just because of it.  Kashoku really was the high king of the echidnas, revered, loved, and honored, not for his power, but instead, for his compassion.  He loved his children and brethren so much, he would not only die for them, but pay the ultimate sacrifice for their welfare.  They were humbled, for they knew very few, if any, would step up to this fate.

   Still, they could not delay their pursuit, and Kelsey and Delilah started up their vehicles and resumed their race into the night.  The mansion grew closer and closer.  Soon, this would all come down to a fight.  Very soon, everything would be resolved.

   It was now after two in the morning, and back in the bedroom where Amarie was in premature labor and Zachary and Pyro helpless to change anything, the loss of Mikomi and Kate and the daunting silence was slowly eating away at them.  After moving to the neighboring bed, Pyro continued to hold Amarie, counting the time between the contractions, which were thankfully, still very far apart, two hours so far, but in want of sleep so desperately.

   Poor Amarie felt her entire world falling apart.  Mikomi, who she was haunted by several dreams of, had come back and was going to be with her again, but was now in great danger that she was unable to help prevent.  Her baby, who she had grown so close to over the paths months that it grew inside of her, was threatening to be born nearly four weeks too early and was in serious danger, for they had no hospital to look after them.  Their lives were in the hands of Zachary, her cousin-in-law, who was only a registered pediatrician.

   He was studying to be an Obstetrician just like his wife Kelsey, but because he had to keep up with his practice as a pediatrician at the same time, he was far from earning a PhD in that field.  He could only act on what knowledge he knew from his classes and his experiences with Kelsey, including the birth of his own sister Airelea.  He had no medical supplies to help Amarie through this, including nothing to soothe away the pain of her contractions, should they get that far with no aid.  It was a frightening suggestion, but Zachary realized if it got to be too long that they were trapped here, he would have to do his best to deliver Amarie’s premature baby.

   This sickened him.  Almost as if he was the one expecting a child, he paced frantically in front the landscape window, trying desperately to find some sort of comfort or reassurance.  Kelsey should have been the one to come with them, but at the same time Zachary would never have let her put herself in so much danger.  Had she suggested going instead of asking him, he would have never agreed to it and offered to come instead.  He realized this is why she asked him to go; she knew it would end in protest if she were to be the one to try and follow.

   “She put too much faith in me,” Zachary thought, “If Amarie’s baby comes and needs life support, there’s nothing I can do to help it.  Oh God…what if we lose it?  What am I supposed to do?  I…I need help!”

   As he shouted at himself in his head, he cringed.  He just couldn’t believe the terrible turn everything was taking, and was angry that there was no hope in sight.  Then, almost as if to refute this, as he opened his eyes, he saw four orbs of light approaching from the distance, with glimmers of smaller, softer light around them.

   He soon realized that these were two pairs of headlights approaching the mansion at fast speeds.  His eyes widened, glassing over with hope as he pressed his face up to the window, almost as if he was hoping he would melt right through it.

   Pyro, seeing his excitement, let out a yawn and asked, “What is it Zachary?  What do you see?”

   Zachary turned around, with a smile on his face and said, “Headlights!  I see two pairs of headlights in the distance!  There are two vehicles approaching the mansion!  They’re coming to save us!”

   Even Amarie was able to let out a sigh of relief.  Pyro however, was confused.  “Wait a minute.  I find it very hard to believe that all of them were able to pile into two vehicles, even if they took the SUVs.  What about Jeremy’s motorcycle?  He’d never come along without it.”

   Immediately, Zachary was discouraged, for he knew that Pyro was right.  The hedgecat, however, shook his head and said, “Don’t get me wrong.  It’s most likely our rescue caravan…I just doubt that all of them could fit in those two SUVs, or would even want to.  Some of them stayed behind…or broke down along the way.”

   Amarie looked up at Pyro and said, “Then maybe Jeremy stayed behind to fix the disabled vehicle.  Maybe…if those are SUVs coming this way…then it was Aranelion’s truck that broke down.”

   While Amarie and Pyro had worked out why some of the vehicles were missing, supporting the idea that there were some coming to rescue them, Zachary was still shaken.  Did that mean his father, mother, sister and uncle were stranded in the wilderness?  He raised a hand to his head, cradling it as he agonized over this.  He convinced himself they would be alright; his father and uncle after all, had lived in the wilderness for nine years.  On top of that, Jeremy had a fast motorbike, and was the best mechanic around.  He knew it wouldn’t be that long before they were reunited.

   The important thing was rescuing Amarie before it was time to deliver her baby.

   He returned to the window, watching as the vehicles approached and said, “Maybe we should break the window and get Amarie out when they arrive.  Who cares if it activates the alarm?  Jackie’s going to attack everyone the minute she finds out they’re here.”

   “No!” Amarie cried softly.  Both Pyro and Zachary looked at her.  While she was in pain, and was tired and frightened, she continued, “We can’t do that.  …We need to wait to be rescued.  There’s plenty of firepower coming our way.  Some of them will come to rescue us, and the others can save Mikomi and Kate, and fight Jackie.  Besides, they’re going to need you and Pyro for the fight.”

   “But Amarie, you’re a wielder too.  It’s not going to do any good,” Pyro said.

   Zachary walked over to the bed, and said, “That doesn’t matter Pyro.  They need our strength.  From what Kashoku said, Jackie can only be defeated by the restored chaos emeralds, and because we won’t have that, we’re gonna need to hold her back long enough until that can be done.  They’ll need us to fight.”

   Pyro gazed at Zachary, stunned.  This entire time, he had planned on escaping with Amarie, and going back to town so he could be with her when the baby came.  Now he realized, however, if Jackie overcame this resistance, lives would be lost, and even if his child survived, it would grow up under her dictatorship.  He had to choose whether to be there for his baby, or to stand and defend the free world his brother-in-law had selflessly given his life to give the world.

   There was no easy answer…but then again…Mikomi didn’t have one either, all those years ago.  He had the choice to live and lose a large multitude of the people and things he cared about, or die and have the chance to be with them again, but only after they were given the chance to live on in peace.

   He had no easy answer…and in the end, he accepted the hardest pill to swallow.

   And now, it seemed that Pyro had to make that same choice.

   A tear fell from his eyes, and as he looked to Amarie, he said, “Our child is gonna have one heck of a birthday.  …You know what we have to do Amarie.”  He paused, and after she nodded slowly, he added, “I didn’t realize when I promised him that I’d look after you that I would have to go through so much…but to be honest, I wouldn’t change a thing.  We may have to struggle, but it’s worth it…the peace and the happiness…and the love.  Our child is a symbol of that.”

   Amarie found herself crying as well.  She kissed Pyro on the cheek and whispered, “Don’t you worry about us.  Once we get out of here, if you have to stay and fight…you do it.  You show this woman what the son of Sonic and Blaze can do with his pyrotechnics.  I’ll wait for you.”

   “You better not!” Pyro said with a laugh.  After a few moments, he hugged Amarie tightly but gently and added, “I love you Amarie.  You and the baby better hang in there…I mean it.  No matter what happens…stay strong.”

   “I will,” Amarie whimpered, still trying to smile, despite the fatigue that fought to make her sleep.

   Zachary had returned to the window.  The two SUVs had now shut off their headlights as they pulled up to the mansion.  He looked at Pyro and Amarie, and murmured, “They’re here.”

   Pyro nodded, getting up from the bed, and then helping Amarie to lie down and get comfortable.  Pyro walked up to the window to see who was emerging from the vehicles.  Among the figures he picked out a few, including Kelsey, Kashoku, and his father Sonic.

   “Dad is here,” Pyro whispered, “And so are Knuckles and Hidama.  I think the only ones missing are your extended family Zachary…besides Kelsey of course.  At least she can help us out.”

   Zachary shook his head as he watched them come together for a battle plan.  “No Pyro…she’s a wielder too.  She’ll have to fight, and she knows it.  We have no choices anymore…no priorities.  There’s only one thing for us to do…and that’s defeat Jackie.  Kashoku knows this too, which is probably why he’ll push himself to the limit, even if it means losing his soul forever.”

   Pyro lowered his eyes, before looking back to Amarie, who was now trying to sleep off her pain and fears.  “Why did it come to this?” Pyro whispered, “…It doesn’t matter…I’ll fight for my child.  No matter what it takes, I’ll make sure it grows up in the same free world I’ve always known.  I owe it to the baby…I owe it to Amarie.  She lost Mikomi when he sacrificed his life.  I owe it to them to do whatever I can to preserve it…to make sure that that pain and sacrifice were not lived through in vain.”

   Zachary nodded, and said, “They’re splitting up to find us.  We better be prepared.  It may take them awhile to track us down…”  He looked at Pyro and said, “It’s time for the great battle of our generation.  No matter what…we cannot back down.”

   The two of them now waited in silence for the others to find them.  That was all they could do, in preparation for the fight that would soon befall them.

   At the same time, back in the literal middle of nowhere, the roar of a motorcycle engine could be heard, rousing Aranelion from his slumber.  Instead of seeing one however, he saw a motorcycle, and a minivan following it.

   Still holding the weakened yellow chaos emerald, which maintained a flicker of a glow, Aranelion nudged Camillia and Elianaron, saying, “Wake up!  Jeremy and Amberly are back!”

   As Camillia opened her eyes, Elianaron said, “Wait, is Amberly driving the minivan?  Isn’t that Amarie’s minivan?”

   Once Jeremy came to a stop near the truck, he cried, “Of course Dad!  Amberly and I weren’t sure if the truck could be fixed fast enough or not, so we brought Amarie’s minivan so we could get the chaos emeralds back to the others in time.  They’re gonna need us!”

   Aranelion hopped down from the truck bed and said, “You expect me to leave my truck out here in this wasteland?  Need I remind you it was a gift from your Aunt Camillia before we got married?”

   Jeremy flushed red and said, “Aww, come on Uncle Air…nobody is going to come out to this miserable place and try to steal your truck.  I’m going to see if I can fix it first, and if not, we can all go ahead in the minivan and come back for it later.  It’ll be alright.  We’re all having to make sacrifices.”

   Camillia walked up to Aranelion, who still appeared against abandoning his truck, and said, “Come on Air…I know this truck has memories for you…but be reasonable.  You’ve told me before you and Elianaron could count on one hand how many people you encountered in places like this…and if anything does happen to it, we’ll get a new one.  This is your son and family we’re talking about.  You have to come along and help them.  Staying behind with your truck won’t help anything.”

   Elianaron, still holding Airelea said, “Hey Air, we may not have our weapons, but we can put up a fist fight right?”

   Aranelion rolled his eyes and said, “Gosh, you guys overreact in a big way.  Do you honestly think I’d put my truck over my son and friends?  Not even for one second!”

   Airelea started to wake up, and reaching for her father she said, “We have to go save Zachary Daddy.  We have to.”

   Aranelion looked to Amberly and Jeremy and said, “Forget the truck.  Let’s get in the minivan and catch up with them.  We’ve wasted enough time already.  We’ve got to help everyone!  The house of Brokenstar is on the way!”

   Elianaron shouted, “You bet we are!” in reply.  Then, as if from their youth, he added, “For Father!”

   As they ran for the minivan, Aranelion said, “And all the echidnas.  I thought we had done them justice, but I reckon this is something we’ll have to continually preserve.  That woman is messing with their honor…and she’ll pay dearly!”

   Aranelion offered to drive the minivan so Amberly could ride with Jeremy again, and with that the six of them took off into the night, using the light and strength of their two chaos emeralds to track the Celestial Emerald, and so they used all the speed they could to catch up with their friends.

   As Amberly and Jeremy sped along, Amberly said, “I hope they’re all alright.  Zachary was so brave to take off after them.”  She paused and said, “Jeremy, did you notice that whenever we talk about having children he gets quiet as if it reminds him of something that bothers him?  Do you think he’s alright?”

   Jeremy, who like Amberly had to raise his voice to be heard, replied, “I’m sure they’re fine…as for Zachary…yeah, I’ve noticed it.  To be honest I think we’ve been very insensitive about it.  Kelsey always gets on to us to stop and then she and Zac stand together and talk for like five minutes afterwards.  Maybe instead of teasing about why we don’t have kids…we could try and talk to them for a change.  It obviously annoys them when we do that.  In every other instance that we’re with them, we’re best friends…and family.  It’s obviously a rough spot.”

   Amberly closed her eyes, and added, “Whatever it is, I hope they’re alright.  I’d hate to think that the reason that they get upset is because they found out they can’t have children and are keeping it a secret.  …Hmm, seems we can’t focus on that right now.  All we can focus on now is war.  I just…I hope it doesn’t get to a point where I won’t be able to say I’m sorry to Kelsey anymore.  Dictatorship…we can’t let it happen.”

   “And we won’t,” Jeremy said, “That’s all there is to it.”

   Without another word, the two vehicles continued their journey into the night.  It had gotten to the point where nobody wanted to speak.  Some did their best to sleep off the pain, and those who couldn’t used silence to ward off the words that haunted them.  They were the ones who would save the world, or doom it to eternal misery.

   Silence only made the fears more of a burden to bear, and yet it seemed there were no longer words…for consolation.

Description
"Until the End of Forever"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 10: No More Easy Choices

   The stars continued to twinkle over the rather chaotic night; they shone down on Jeremy and Amberly as they sped back to Station Square on his motorcycle.  The stars’ dim light also lit the air around Aranelion, Camillia, Elianaron and Airelea as they sat together in the bed of his ruined truck, waiting for Jeremy to return, and until then doing their best to keep the light of Zachary’s chaos emerald alive, though Elianaron nodded off to sleep once or twice as he held a slumbering Airelea in his lap.

   Meanwhile, Kashoku and the others had to forge on without them.  As the Celestial Emerald flew through the sky towards the Chaos Energy’s signal, Kashoku ran at a furious pace to keep up with it.  In life, he was one of the fastest echidnas ever to walk the world, but now, with only a temporary shell to protect his soul, this same speed was slowly undoing him.  Still, he continued onward, not concerned for his own well-being anymore, and only thinking of Mikomi and the rest, especially poor Amarie, who he saw so much of his own daughter within her eyes, even his dear wife Mitsukai.

   And yet, not even Kashoku could truly fathom gift the world was giving Mikomi in return for all the sacrifices he had made in her name, defending her peace, order and happiness.  Giving him a second chance at life was a precious miracle few would ever know, and at the same time, he was also earning Kate’s love and trust, while Kate earned his in return.

   After a couple of hours, sleeping soundly as Kate held him close, Mikomi began to rouse once more.  He opened his eyes slowly, first taking a deep breath as he shook off the slumber.  As he did so, he picked up an unusual aroma.  He had not forgotten what had happened with Kate earlier that night; infact dreams about her only deepened this love for her that was erupting in his heart.  However, he had not noticed this unique scent about her, and realized that as time passed, he had stopped giving so much notice to a person’s scent and aura as he became more and more mortal.

   He looked up at her, and then down, and murmured, “Maybe it’s almost time.  Maybe soon I’ll be able to fight with all my strength and help set them free.”

   He realized she was asleep, still with one arm around him.  A smile came to his lips, and yet at the same time he remembered his sister’s plight.  Back in that bedroom she was in labor, and premature labor at that, and Mikomi was disgusted that there was still nothing that he could do.  He stood up slowly and carefully, not wanting to wake up Kate, and walked over to the door, remembering that Jacob was on the other side guarding it.

   Sitting down beside the door, he whispered, “Hey, Jacob…are you awake out there?”

   “Quiet you,” was what he heard in response.  “I’m not going to be tricked by your deception as Kate was.  You’re not getting out of there.”

   Mikomi closed his eyes; realizing he could still read auras, he did his best to read Jacob’s.  While his power was different from those of his Uncle, Hidama, he could recognize the same thing.  Jacob was not being controlled by Jackie; he was acting of his own free will, and yet was corrupted so terribly he could care about no one except for her.  He had even forgotten his sorrow at losing his sons.  What Mikomi wondered, was if Jacob was too far gone to be saved.

   He replied, “No, it’s nothing like that Jacob.  I know you’d never disobey Jackie…she has taken care of you after all.”  He paused, wondering how to continue, and added, “Do you…remember exactly how she came to be your savior?  Kate tells me that Jackie was the one who killed your sister and your sons…and yet she spared you and Kate for some unknown reason.  What are your thoughts on that?”

   On the other side of the door, Jacob jumped up from his seat and shouted, “Don’t you EVER say that again!  Kate is a liar, deceived by your malice!  Jackie saved me from dying, and she also saved that miserable girl Kate, only to be betrayed by her!  I serve Jackie because she loves me and saved me from certain death!”

   “Okay, okay!  Calm down Jacob!  I don’t know the whole story!  I just wanted to hear your side of it!” Mikomi cried softly.

   This was enough to wake up Kate.  She looked and saw Mikomi sitting by the door, talking to her uncle, and angering him at the same time.  Horrified, she cried, “No Mikomi!  Just leave him alone!  It’s impossible to get through to him now!” as she ran to Mikomi’s side.

   Jacob heard this, and he shouted, “You traitor!  I hope you’re happy!  You side with the opposition and you suffer for it!  I wash my hands of you forever!”

   As she sat down beside Mikomi, Kate whimpered, “That’s fine with me Uncle Jacob.  You no longer love me, nor do you even care about your three sons.  You can just marry Jackie for all I care, I’m sure your poor wife won’t mind, just as much as you no longer care for her.  All I know is my mother would not want me to hurt her friends, and Mikomi is one of them.  You may not remember Hidama or even care about him anymore, but I won’t cause him or his loved ones any harm after all he did for you and Mother when you were young.”

   This was enough to silence Jacob for the moment, and Mikomi added, “That’s right Jacob…it was Hidama that saved you when you were a child.  When you and Olivia were just children you met him in prison, and he kept you alive all those years…and you did the same for him.  I’m not your enemy Jacob…I want to repay you the favor.  You did so much for my uncle…you saved his life, and I want to do the same for you and Kate.  Kate’s told me that Jackie has done nothing towards finding the ones who killed your family, while that is one of my main concerns.  My family and friends would never wish something so vicious on you.  Can’t you give faith a chance?  Don’t you want to be free again?  That’s something you and Uncle Hidama wanted forever, and now you’re imprisoned again.  Don’t you want to be free again, like your wife and sons are?”

   He didn’t get a reply from Jacob, and let out a sigh, leaning against the door.  Kate scooted up next to him and said, “It’s no use Mikomi; I’ve tried talking him out this haze, but he won’t listen.  The solution always ends with Jackie.”

   Mikomi didn’t answer; he had closed his eyes and was leaning his head against the door, trying to get a deeper read on Jacob’s aura.  He winced as if he had to struggle with it, before opening his eyes and saying, “The corruption has gone so deep even his aura, the very essence of his soul, has gone sour.  …Still, the deep core of his soul is still untainted.  There’s got to be a way we can awaken that desire in him to be free.”

   “I…I am free,” Jacob said at last.

   Returning his attention to the door, Mikomi shook his head and whispered, “No you’re not Jacob.  This isn’t the way your wife would want you to be.  Her spirit is not angry with you Jacob; she wants to be with you again in the light of the afterlife, and so does your sister.  You have to abandon this dark prison first before you can be with her again.  Isn’t that what you want?”

   After a few more moments, it appeared that Jacob was breaking down.  With a shaky voice, he whispered, “I—I don’t know.  Leave me alone.”

   Mikomi let out a sigh.  Looking to Kate, he said, “I don’t remember Heaven, but I know that his wife and your mother would have expressed the desire for me to save him.  I just don’t know what I can do.  Perhaps Kashoku and the Celestial Emerald can help.  I’m just happy your soul, your aura, is free.”

   Kate didn’t answer him at first, resting her head on his shoulder, still tired, and letting out a sigh.  Mikomi put his arm around her, not speaking again in search of a response, but instead letting the silence cradle their weary spirits.

   Finally, Kate looked up at Mikomi and asked, “Is that your power Mikomi?  Reading auras?”

   He looked at her, smiled a bit and said, “Well, actually, as powerful as my uncle is, I was born with no special power to speak of.  When I came back here I discovered I could read auras.  It was the way I identified people at first.  Like, with Amarie, I could read the aura of her baby, and identify Pyro as the father when I found part of his aura in the baby’s.  That’s also how I recognized my father and uncle at first.  I was wondering if it would go away when I became mortal, but I can still read auras as well as I did at the beginning, so maybe I won’t lose it.”

   She sat up a bit, holding on to Mikomi’s arm for stability, and then asked, “Can you read my aura?  I mean…is that all it’s good for…being able to tell who people are related to?”

   Mikomi laughed softly and said, “Well no…actually, you can tell a lot from someone’s aura…at least that’s what Kashoku said.  I’m still learning to use my power.  You can tell if someone is good or bad, just like I did with your uncle.  I know he is good on the inside, even though his soul is clouded with a haze of evil.  Kashoku even told me you can find your twin soul by reading auras.”

   “Twin soul?  What is that all about?” Kate asked.

   “Well…it’s just another phrase that means soul mate,” Mikomi said, looking into Kate’s green eyes as he said it.  Once she returned the gaze, he added, “When I met Zachary, I recognized that he was Kelsey’s soul mate.  It was part of his soul…that he was meant to grow up and fall in love with her.  Souls, no matter how far apart they begin, are destined to reunite with each other.  They may end up with the wrong people at first, but somehow, they’ll overcome everything, in order to reunite.”

   A soft blink interrupted her gaze, long enough for Kate to whisper, “Even death?”

   Mikomi was becoming lost, not in Kate’s eyes, but in her aura, which he was reading at that very moment.  In those moments, he could trace her ties to Jacob, and trace part of her aura as belonging to Heaven, the auras of her mother and father.  He saw all parts of her soul…including one, very important part.

   The part of her soul that sang the song of the life of her soul mate, was singing in reply to the song that echoed from Mikomi’s spirit.

   He couldn’t be wrong.

   Was there more to his return than saving the world once more?  Was his purpose to also touch the life of a girl who had suffered needlessly?  Was this why he was conquering death to live again?

   He had said soul mates would overcome everything to reunite.

   His smile strengthened; closing his eyes, he took a breath, then, slowly, he leaned in, kissing Kate gently rather than answering her question for the moment.

   This startled Kate for a brief moment, but once his lips reached her own, she had relaxed, closing her own eyes and returning the kiss with her own.  As they sat there, locked together for those moments, Mikomi allowed her to see his own aura, so she could understand what he could not verbalize, save through a kiss and a window to his spirit.

   Mikomi opened his eyes as he pulled away, keeping an arm around her but choosing not to speak.  He waited as Kate opened her eyes, breathing slowly as she took in all that she felt in those brief moments.  Their eyes met again, only this time she looked at him differently.  What she had seen, or rather, felt, was Mikomi’s soul calling out to her own, awakening a love for him that was part of her all along.

   It was true what he said; soul mates will overcome everything to reunite, and for such a feeling to be realized at last, even in the face of adversity, Kate couldn’t be more grateful for this.  She couldn’t be…more grateful…for Mikomi.

   Before she could speak, he nodded and whispered, “Even death,” with a smile.

   Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes.  Her smile was strong but fragile as she realized what this meant for her.  Her soul mate had died ten years ago to save her and the lives of many, only to return for the same reason, and at the same time realize the love in his own heart.

   “Oh Mikomi…,” she whimpered.

   Without another word, Mikomi pulled Kate into his arms, hugging her tightly.  He then replied, “I love you Kate…you don’t need to say it;…your soul has already sung a hymn for me, and that’s enough.”

   Kate didn’t speak, she simply embraced Mikomi tightly in return, letting herself cry as he held her.  It was such an overwhelming, and yet a miraculously wonderful experience.  It was enough for both of them to forget the danger they faced with the new day, at least for awhile.

   Finally able to find her voice, Kate murmured, “I’ve never been so happy before…I just…I wish we could have come together at a better time than this.”

   Mikomi, who for a moment had even forgotten the plight of his sister, pulled away just enough to look at Kate as he held her, and replied, “Oh Kate…don’t say that.  The point is, we found each other.  You said so yourself; everything will be alright, don’t forget that.  We’ll all make it out of this soon enough, you’ll see.”  He paused, pulling her close before adding, “And remember, soul mates will do whatever they can to be together again.  They’ll conquer death, and reunite for the last time in Heaven.  Keep that in your mind and heart, and you’ll be alright.”

   Kate let her breath go, and with it her tears.  She felt safe in Mikomi’s arms, wrapped up with his love, and so was able to take his words to heart, and feel secured by them.  She nodded very gently as she rested her head on his chest, still tired and now sleepy after all was said and done.  “I love you Mikomi,” she whispered.  It felt right.  She knew she had found her soul mate.  After this, they sat together against the door, sleeping soundly the few hours left until dawn.

   On the other side of the door, Jacob had listened to their conversation, and for some reason it helped clear the fog in his heart.  Something spoke to him, calling out to his spirit, trying to free it from the hold Jackie’s malice had ingrained upon it.  His own twin soul, though on the other side, was desperate to reunite with him, and he knew it.

   While still trapped in the darkness, Jacob began to think and speak more clearly.  He found the image of an echidna’s silhouette in his mind…someone who was once very dear to him.  He needed to help this soul, and the ones he loved; that was the right way…the way that would allow him to be happy again.

   But what…how could he do this?  Did he even want to?

   Jacob just didn’t know…not yet…and would he ever?

   The hours of the night crept on for all, and while Jackie slept soundly in her luxurious bed with a sequins-incrusted blindfold to cover her eyes, Kashoku and the others that remained in the SUVs hurried onward.  As Kashoku had predicted, as they got closer to Mikomi, the signal the Celestial Emerald received grew stronger.  Unbeknownst to Kashoku, when Mikomi and Kate realized their love for each other, the signal, even as he slept, was stronger than ever, and continued to be as the Celestial Emerald followed it.

   As Kashoku ran, the fatigue that wracked his temporary shell came to haunt him.  He knew what this meant.  He was putting it through too much too quickly.  If he wasn’t careful, it would fall apart, and his soul would be lost forever.  He knew that no one would want this, but it was something he couldn’t help.

   He had entrusted the world with far too much of his awesome powers…powers he alone could control properly.  No guardian could ever control it the way it needed to be, and was always susceptible to being controlled by it, and even destroyed them on an emotional level because of this.  It was his fault that the world was in danger and his sons and their loved ones caused pain.  No matter what it took, he would make it right.  Losing himself to the void would be only a small price to pay for the anguish he had dealt centuries of the world, even after freeing them from more of it.

   Still, he was getting to the point where he didn’t think he could take anymore, where he was beginning to wonder if he should ride with the others and follow the Celestial Emerald that way.  However, before he could entertain this possibility, the Celestial Emerald fell down into his hands, gently, rather than plummeting to earth as it did before.  He stopped, panting, as he never had before, looking at the gem, as he heard the vehicles slow to a stop behind him.

   As he heard car doors open and close, he was surprised when he heard no voices accompany them.  Expecting to hear Sonic crying out in frustration again, or for Knuckles to grow more agitated by each second that went by with no action to save his children, he instead heard the voice of Shadow, who now stepped beside him, say, “Seems the sacred gem did its job Lord Kashoku.”

   Kashoku noticed the inner glow of the gem had not died out, but instead was stronger than ever as he felt it tug on his hands, bidding him forward.  He looked up at the horizon, surprised to see a large mansion on the plain only a mile or so away.  As he ran, consumed by fatigue and racing thoughts, he had neglected to notice it looming ahead of them as they grew closer.

   Panting a brief moment for precious air, he concealed the Celestial Emerald, trying his best to smile in order to keep up everyone’s spirits.  He nodded, saying, “Indeed.  The Celestial Emerald has now pinpointed the source of the Chaos Energy.  We cannot falter now.”  He paused, turning to Kelsey and asked, “Do you think I could ride with you the rest of the way my dear?  I—I find myself weakened by this marathon.”

   Kelsey was more than willing to let Kashoku come along, but Knuckles, Hidama, and Shadow were alarmed by what he just said.  Hidama grabbed Kashoku by the arm and asked, “Are you alright Lord Kashoku?  You sound as if this temporary shell of yours is about to give out.  We can’t let that happen.”

   Knuckles and Shadow glanced at each other when Hidama spoke.  While they were worried terribly for their loved ones, Knuckles and Hidama also had concern for their first ancestor, while Shadow, wizened in the history of the world, could best understand what his soul meant for them.  While Kashoku thought he should be hated for bringing such pain upon them, Knuckles, Hidama, and all of the echidnas loved him for guiding them and bringing them to the height of their power.  They could never think cruelly of him, for he embodied the glory that all echidnas lived by until their dying days, and the thought of his spirit being lost forever was too terrible to fathom.

   Shadow stepped between Hidama and Kashoku and said, “I’m sure…he has already considered and rejected leaving Hidama.  You cannot dissuade someone with such a frightful weight on his shoulders to simply abandon making things right.”

   “Please,” Kashoku answered, “Don’t say anymore.”  He put one hand on Hidama’s shoulder, and the other on Knuckles’ shoulder as he stood before them.  “My sons, what Shadow says is true.  I—I take full responsibility for your suffering…not just tonight, but every day.  It was I who took Mikomi away from you too soon, and bringing him back only softens the wounds suffered from that tragedy.  I am responsible for the death of your father and mother, your friends, all the echidnas.  I am the one who’s to blame for your imprisonment Hidama, and your isolation Knuckles.  I am guilty of Olermere and Feldmort’s corruption.  I have killed, tortured, and hurt so many, all because…of a gift to my beloved Mitsukai…a symbol of the peace and unity that I wished for the world.”

   He now looked to all who stood before him, and continued, “I was in error…trusting the world with such a great power…power only I was born to control.  At first it was no burden to my son and his children, but Olermere and Feldmort’s downfall signaled the beginning of the end of our glory.  I could not anticipate that our days would end.  I could not entertain the idea that people would favor war and hatred over peace and love…and trust.  I was our undoing.  I amended my mistake in the Celestial Emerald, as it only serves purposes of virtue.  Yet it was too late.  So many suffered, and still suffer today.  So you see, my sons, falling victim to the void…is a small price to pay…to make things right.”

   Hidama and Knuckles looked shaken down to their foundations, and everyone around them were humbled and saddened by Kashoku’s confession, even Shadow, who believed that no one person could be blamed for the tragedies of the Master Emerald.  However, Kashoku was quick to smile, hugging Hidama and Knuckles in turn, and saying, “Do not worry for me sons of the Guardian.  I am alright now.  All I need is a bit of rest over this last league of our journey, and that is enough.”  He pulled back looking to the sinking moon, before adding, “We must hurry.  Jackie sleeps for now, but I fear that come morning she won’t hesitate to continue with her plan.”

   Without another word, Kashoku made his way to Zachary’s SUV, and the rest filed off in the same way in silence.  Hidama and Knuckles looked confused, still shaken, and unsure of what would happen if Kashoku was lost forever.  This poor soul had expressed such deep sorrow for their suffering that being lost to the void forever held no terror for him, and instead felt just because of it.  Kashoku really was the high king of the echidnas, revered, loved, and honored, not for his power, but instead, for his compassion.  He loved his children and brethren so much, he would not only die for them, but pay the ultimate sacrifice for their welfare.  They were humbled, for they knew very few, if any, would step up to this fate.

   Still, they could not delay their pursuit, and Kelsey and Delilah started up their vehicles and resumed their race into the night.  The mansion grew closer and closer.  Soon, this would all come down to a fight.  Very soon, everything would be resolved.

   It was now after two in the morning, and back in the bedroom where Amarie was in premature labor and Zachary and Pyro helpless to change anything, the loss of Mikomi and Kate and the daunting silence was slowly eating away at them.  After moving to the neighboring bed, Pyro continued to hold Amarie, counting the time between the contractions, which were thankfully, still very far apart, two hours so far, but in want of sleep so desperately.

   Poor Amarie felt her entire world falling apart.  Mikomi, who she was haunted by several dreams of, had come back and was going to be with her again, but was now in great danger that she was unable to help prevent.  Her baby, who she had grown so close to over the paths months that it grew inside of her, was threatening to be born nearly four weeks too early and was in serious danger, for they had no hospital to look after them.  Their lives were in the hands of Zachary, her cousin-in-law, who was only a registered pediatrician.

   He was studying to be an Obstetrician just like his wife Kelsey, but because he had to keep up with his practice as a pediatrician at the same time, he was far from earning a PhD in that field.  He could only act on what knowledge he knew from his classes and his experiences with Kelsey, including the birth of his own sister Airelea.  He had no medical supplies to help Amarie through this, including nothing to soothe away the pain of her contractions, should they get that far with no aid.  It was a frightening suggestion, but Zachary realized if it got to be too long that they were trapped here, he would have to do his best to deliver Amarie’s premature baby.

   This sickened him.  Almost as if he was the one expecting a child, he paced frantically in front the landscape window, trying desperately to find some sort of comfort or reassurance.  Kelsey should have been the one to come with them, but at the same time Zachary would never have let her put herself in so much danger.  Had she suggested going instead of asking him, he would have never agreed to it and offered to come instead.  He realized this is why she asked him to go; she knew it would end in protest if she were to be the one to try and follow.

   “She put too much faith in me,” Zachary thought, “If Amarie’s baby comes and needs life support, there’s nothing I can do to help it.  Oh God…what if we lose it?  What am I supposed to do?  I…I need help!”

   As he shouted at himself in his head, he cringed.  He just couldn’t believe the terrible turn everything was taking, and was angry that there was no hope in sight.  Then, almost as if to refute this, as he opened his eyes, he saw four orbs of light approaching from the distance, with glimmers of smaller, softer light around them.

   He soon realized that these were two pairs of headlights approaching the mansion at fast speeds.  His eyes widened, glassing over with hope as he pressed his face up to the window, almost as if he was hoping he would melt right through it.

   Pyro, seeing his excitement, let out a yawn and asked, “What is it Zachary?  What do you see?”

   Zachary turned around, with a smile on his face and said, “Headlights!  I see two pairs of headlights in the distance!  There are two vehicles approaching the mansion!  They’re coming to save us!”

   Even Amarie was able to let out a sigh of relief.  Pyro however, was confused.  “Wait a minute.  I find it very hard to believe that all of them were able to pile into two vehicles, even if they took the SUVs.  What about Jeremy’s motorcycle?  He’d never come along without it.”

   Immediately, Zachary was discouraged, for he knew that Pyro was right.  The hedgecat, however, shook his head and said, “Don’t get me wrong.  It’s most likely our rescue caravan…I just doubt that all of them could fit in those two SUVs, or would even want to.  Some of them stayed behind…or broke down along the way.”

   Amarie looked up at Pyro and said, “Then maybe Jeremy stayed behind to fix the disabled vehicle.  Maybe…if those are SUVs coming this way…then it was Aranelion’s truck that broke down.”

   While Amarie and Pyro had worked out why some of the vehicles were missing, supporting the idea that there were some coming to rescue them, Zachary was still shaken.  Did that mean his father, mother, sister and uncle were stranded in the wilderness?  He raised a hand to his head, cradling it as he agonized over this.  He convinced himself they would be alright; his father and uncle after all, had lived in the wilderness for nine years.  On top of that, Jeremy had a fast motorbike, and was the best mechanic around.  He knew it wouldn’t be that long before they were reunited.

   The important thing was rescuing Amarie before it was time to deliver her baby.

   He returned to the window, watching as the vehicles approached and said, “Maybe we should break the window and get Amarie out when they arrive.  Who cares if it activates the alarm?  Jackie’s going to attack everyone the minute she finds out they’re here.”

   “No!” Amarie cried softly.  Both Pyro and Zachary looked at her.  While she was in pain, and was tired and frightened, she continued, “We can’t do that.  …We need to wait to be rescued.  There’s plenty of firepower coming our way.  Some of them will come to rescue us, and the others can save Mikomi and Kate, and fight Jackie.  Besides, they’re going to need you and Pyro for the fight.”

   “But Amarie, you’re a wielder too.  It’s not going to do any good,” Pyro said.

   Zachary walked over to the bed, and said, “That doesn’t matter Pyro.  They need our strength.  From what Kashoku said, Jackie can only be defeated by the restored chaos emeralds, and because we won’t have that, we’re gonna need to hold her back long enough until that can be done.  They’ll need us to fight.”

   Pyro gazed at Zachary, stunned.  This entire time, he had planned on escaping with Amarie, and going back to town so he could be with her when the baby came.  Now he realized, however, if Jackie overcame this resistance, lives would be lost, and even if his child survived, it would grow up under her dictatorship.  He had to choose whether to be there for his baby, or to stand and defend the free world his brother-in-law had selflessly given his life to give the world.

   There was no easy answer…but then again…Mikomi didn’t have one either, all those years ago.  He had the choice to live and lose a large multitude of the people and things he cared about, or die and have the chance to be with them again, but only after they were given the chance to live on in peace.

   He had no easy answer…and in the end, he accepted the hardest pill to swallow.

   And now, it seemed that Pyro had to make that same choice.

   A tear fell from his eyes, and as he looked to Amarie, he said, “Our child is gonna have one heck of a birthday.  …You know what we have to do Amarie.”  He paused, and after she nodded slowly, he added, “I didn’t realize when I promised him that I’d look after you that I would have to go through so much…but to be honest, I wouldn’t change a thing.  We may have to struggle, but it’s worth it…the peace and the happiness…and the love.  Our child is a symbol of that.”

   Amarie found herself crying as well.  She kissed Pyro on the cheek and whispered, “Don’t you worry about us.  Once we get out of here, if you have to stay and fight…you do it.  You show this woman what the son of Sonic and Blaze can do with his pyrotechnics.  I’ll wait for you.”

   “You better not!” Pyro said with a laugh.  After a few moments, he hugged Amarie tightly but gently and added, “I love you Amarie.  You and the baby better hang in there…I mean it.  No matter what happens…stay strong.”

   “I will,” Amarie whimpered, still trying to smile, despite the fatigue that fought to make her sleep.

   Zachary had returned to the window.  The two SUVs had now shut off their headlights as they pulled up to the mansion.  He looked at Pyro and Amarie, and murmured, “They’re here.”

   Pyro nodded, getting up from the bed, and then helping Amarie to lie down and get comfortable.  Pyro walked up to the window to see who was emerging from the vehicles.  Among the figures he picked out a few, including Kelsey, Kashoku, and his father Sonic.

   “Dad is here,” Pyro whispered, “And so are Knuckles and Hidama.  I think the only ones missing are your extended family Zachary…besides Kelsey of course.  At least she can help us out.”

   Zachary shook his head as he watched them come together for a battle plan.  “No Pyro…she’s a wielder too.  She’ll have to fight, and she knows it.  We have no choices anymore…no priorities.  There’s only one thing for us to do…and that’s defeat Jackie.  Kashoku knows this too, which is probably why he’ll push himself to the limit, even if it means losing his soul forever.”

   Pyro lowered his eyes, before looking back to Amarie, who was now trying to sleep off her pain and fears.  “Why did it come to this?” Pyro whispered, “…It doesn’t matter…I’ll fight for my child.  No matter what it takes, I’ll make sure it grows up in the same free world I’ve always known.  I owe it to the baby…I owe it to Amarie.  She lost Mikomi when he sacrificed his life.  I owe it to them to do whatever I can to preserve it…to make sure that that pain and sacrifice were not lived through in vain.”

   Zachary nodded, and said, “They’re splitting up to find us.  We better be prepared.  It may take them awhile to track us down…”  He looked at Pyro and said, “It’s time for the great battle of our generation.  No matter what…we cannot back down.”

   The two of them now waited in silence for the others to find them.  That was all they could do, in preparation for the fight that would soon befall them.

   At the same time, back in the literal middle of nowhere, the roar of a motorcycle engine could be heard, rousing Aranelion from his slumber.  Instead of seeing one however, he saw a motorcycle, and a minivan following it.

   Still holding the weakened yellow chaos emerald, which maintained a flicker of a glow, Aranelion nudged Camillia and Elianaron, saying, “Wake up!  Jeremy and Amberly are back!”

   As Camillia opened her eyes, Elianaron said, “Wait, is Amberly driving the minivan?  Isn’t that Amarie’s minivan?”

   Once Jeremy came to a stop near the truck, he cried, “Of course Dad!  Amberly and I weren’t sure if the truck could be fixed fast enough or not, so we brought Amarie’s minivan so we could get the chaos emeralds back to the others in time.  They’re gonna need us!”

   Aranelion hopped down from the truck bed and said, “You expect me to leave my truck out here in this wasteland?  Need I remind you it was a gift from your Aunt Camillia before we got married?”

   Jeremy flushed red and said, “Aww, come on Uncle Air…nobody is going to come out to this miserable place and try to steal your truck.  I’m going to see if I can fix it first, and if not, we can all go ahead in the minivan and come back for it later.  It’ll be alright.  We’re all having to make sacrifices.”

   Camillia walked up to Aranelion, who still appeared against abandoning his truck, and said, “Come on Air…I know this truck has memories for you…but be reasonable.  You’ve told me before you and Elianaron could count on one hand how many people you encountered in places like this…and if anything does happen to it, we’ll get a new one.  This is your son and family we’re talking about.  You have to come along and help them.  Staying behind with your truck won’t help anything.”

   Elianaron, still holding Airelea said, “Hey Air, we may not have our weapons, but we can put up a fist fight right?”

   Aranelion rolled his eyes and said, “Gosh, you guys overreact in a big way.  Do you honestly think I’d put my truck over my son and friends?  Not even for one second!”

   Airelea started to wake up, and reaching for her father she said, “We have to go save Zachary Daddy.  We have to.”

   Aranelion looked to Amberly and Jeremy and said, “Forget the truck.  Let’s get in the minivan and catch up with them.  We’ve wasted enough time already.  We’ve got to help everyone!  The house of Brokenstar is on the way!”

   Elianaron shouted, “You bet we are!” in reply.  Then, as if from their youth, he added, “For Father!”

   As they ran for the minivan, Aranelion said, “And all the echidnas.  I thought we had done them justice, but I reckon this is something we’ll have to continually preserve.  That woman is messing with their honor…and she’ll pay dearly!”

   Aranelion offered to drive the minivan so Amberly could ride with Jeremy again, and with that the six of them took off into the night, using the light and strength of their two chaos emeralds to track the Celestial Emerald, and so they used all the speed they could to catch up with their friends.

   As Amberly and Jeremy sped along, Amberly said, “I hope they’re all alright.  Zachary was so brave to take off after them.”  She paused and said, “Jeremy, did you notice that whenever we talk about having children he gets quiet as if it reminds him of something that bothers him?  Do you think he’s alright?”

   Jeremy, who like Amberly had to raise his voice to be heard, replied, “I’m sure they’re fine…as for Zachary…yeah, I’ve noticed it.  To be honest I think we’ve been very insensitive about it.  Kelsey always gets on to us to stop and then she and Zac stand together and talk for like five minutes afterwards.  Maybe instead of teasing about why we don’t have kids…we could try and talk to them for a change.  It obviously annoys them when we do that.  In every other instance that we’re with them, we’re best friends…and family.  It’s obviously a rough spot.”

   Amberly closed her eyes, and added, “Whatever it is, I hope they’re alright.  I’d hate to think that the reason that they get upset is because they found out they can’t have children and are keeping it a secret.  …Hmm, seems we can’t focus on that right now.  All we can focus on now is war.  I just…I hope it doesn’t get to a point where I won’t be able to say I’m sorry to Kelsey anymore.  Dictatorship…we can’t let it happen.”

   “And we won’t,” Jeremy said, “That’s all there is to it.”

   Without another word, the two vehicles continued their journey into the night.  It had gotten to the point where nobody wanted to speak.  Some did their best to sleep off the pain, and those who couldn’t used silence to ward off the words that haunted them.  They were the ones who would save the world, or doom it to eternal misery.

   Silence only made the fears more of a burden to bear, and yet it seemed there were no longer words…for consolation.