Psionic the Hedgehog - Part IV

By Shariq Ansari aka DarkeSword

Comments? Email me at darkesword@exphyl.com

* * * * *

The forest was alive at night, the sounds of the night birds and crickets 
meshing with the distant roar of the volcano's whirlpool.  There were tiny 
sparkles of golden light everywhere, making the trees shimmer in the darkness.

Tales stood outside, on the platform of Knives the Echidna's tree-hut home, 
taking in the sight of the beautiful, dark forest.  It was so strange.  She 
still couldn't believe she was on an island that floated above the surface of 
the planet.

"Here."

Tales jumped and turned around.  It was Knives, the Angel--or rather, Echidna--
who had found her earlier that day.  He was holding something in his hand.  They 
looked like glasses; no, they were glasses.

"Umm, thanks."  She put them on.  They didn't feel like hers, and they weren't 
perfect, but they took away some of the blurriness she had been experiencing all 
day.  She turned and looked at Knives.  

He was a fearsome sight, with his red quills and dreadlocks, and the knives 
hanging all over his body.  There was a white V on his chest, and which seemed 
match his nearly white eyes.  When Tales had awakened and first seen him, she 
had screamed in alarm, but after he had explained how he had found her near her 
crashed "mechanical bird," she calmed down.

She had also been surprised when she had seen him, because she had never seen 
anyone of his race before.  He said he was an Echidna, but Tales had recognized 
him as a member of an ancient race that was only known before as the Angels.  
They were supposedly a highly advanced race who, through their acheivements in 
the arts, sciences, and spirituality, had earned the favor of a great spirit, 
who lifted them into the heavens, away from the savagery of the world.

Who would have thought that they were still alive? wondered Tales.

"What?  What is it?" Knives asked.

She snapped back to awareness.  "Huh?" she said.

Knives looked puzzled.  "You were staring at me.  Do I have something in my 
dreadlocks or something?"  He started to check.

Tales smiled and gave a little laugh.  "No.  I was just thinking, that's all.  
So, umm, where did you get these glasses?"

Knives smiled faintly.  "They belonged to my mother.  Her eyesight wasn't so 
good, so Father made them for her."  Knives looked like he was far away, 
remembering.  He smiled then, and walked over to the edge of the platform.  
"C'mon.  We should get going."

"Where are we going?" Tales asked.

Knives started doing some stretching exercises.  "We're going to look for your 
friend, Psionic."  

Tales' ears perked up.  "Oh great!  Then you think he's still alive?"

Knives reached to touch his toes.  "Well, I have to admit that I didn't really 
look around for anyone else at the crash site.  I just found you and decided I 
needed to get you somewhere safe right away.  He might've been up in a tree or 
something for all we know."

Tales was worried.  "I hope you're right."  She looked out again at all of the 
twinkling lights in the forest.  "Hey Knives?  What are all of those lights?"

Knives smiled.  "I'll show you while we look for Psionic.  Come on, let's go."

* * * * *

"Who are you?"

"Who do you think I am?"

"You're Angel, aren't you?"

"If that is what you wish to call me.  I am what you and the girl seek."

"The blue chaos emerald."

"Yes, that is what I am.  And what of you?  You are the last of the Sentries, 
are you not?"

"One of them."

"Tell me:  why are you and your friend searching for my sisters and me?"

"It seems to me you already know."

"My apologies.  I did not mean to pry into your mind.  It has been some time 
since I had need to block the thoughts of others."

"Don't worry about it.  I understand."

"Of course you do.  You are the last."

"One of them, anyway."

"Do not worry, she is safe.  She is with my guardian."

"I know.  I just want to see her, that's all."

"You wish to see many things, don't you, little hedgehog?"

"I use my eyes to see the beauty of the world.  Just because I can feel the 
wills of others doesn't mean I should become blind."

"Well spoken, as expected.  After all, you are the last."

"No, just one of them."

"Ah, yes.  I understand now.  My sisters are telling me of the others."

"The others.  You've found the others?  Who are they?  Where are they?  What are 
they like?"

"Patience, my little friend.  You will meet them someday, perhaps without our 
help.  After all you are the last, or rather, one of them."

"I think you've got it now, Angel."