Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Scotty The Crime Smiter ❯ A New...Friend? ( Chapter 3 )

Legal Stuff:

I don't own any of the characters in this story. They are the properties of their respective owners.

Author's Notes:

And now for chapter 3, which will demonstrate…um…something…I forget what it is now, but you'll find out if you read on…

Chapter 3: A New…Friend?

Sometime the next morning, Sonya opened here eyes. She had somehow been unconscious; perhaps she had fainted after she was surprised last night. The hedgehog looked around, wearily. She was in a cave of some sort, and near enough to the entrance that sunlight shown in a little. Sonya slowly stood up, taking off a pile of straw that had been on her. The hedgehog's eyes weren't fully focused yet, but things soon became clearer as she wondered out loud…

Sonya: Where am I? Hello? Is anyone here?

There wasn't an answer. Sonya backed up slightly, and bumped into something after a few steps. She felt around behind her, and was surprised when she didn't find a cold, rock wall, but rather something warm and scaly. She turned around, and squinted hard to see what it was. It was hidden in a shadow, but it was moving slowly; as if it were breathing.

Sonya: What on Earth?

She spoke the words quietly to herself. The entire whatever it was stirred, and the front of it lifted upwards slightly. Sonya looked over at it, suspecting the worst. She was shocked when two shimmering yellow eyes opened wide, staring at her. A deep, scratchy voice spoke from somewhere beneath the eyes.

Voice: Hello, little one.

Sonya was too stunned to speak. She backed away when the eyes moved closer. They entered a ray of light from the entrance, and the face of a dragon became clear. Sonya backed away from it, afraid.

Dragon: Please, don't run.

There was a long pause before Sonya gathered the courage to speak again.

Sonya: W-who are you?

Dragon: I am known as Artov.

Sonya: Where…Where am I?

Artov: You are in my cave. I brought you here because I need your help.

Sonya: Me? For what?

Artov: I need to know the truth about something, and I believe you can help.

Not sure what else to do, Sonya agreed.

Sonya: Okay, I'm listening.

Artov: Yesterday, I attacked your town.

Sonya backed away in horror as the dragon continued.

Artov: But now I'm not certain if it was the right thing to do.

Sonya: What do you mean?

Artov: <sigh> King Robotnik told me that your people were evil; and that they had been cutting down forests for wood they didn't need. So, I attacked you. But I noticed that there wasn't any extra wood around; at least not any that was more than normal. So I need you to tell me, did Robotnik lie?

Sonya: I'm sure of it. That guy is an evil king, and you can't trust him, not one bit!

Artov: Evil?

Artov took a moment to consider this. He then turned back to Sonya.

Artov: <sigh> Yes, I suspected as much. I should've realized it after I saw his army of drones. But he said they were made to defend the trees that you were cutting down.

Sonya: The truth is, he uses them to attack people and to raid other kingdoms. Ours is, as far as we can tell, the only one that's been able to repel him.

Artov: I see. Well, if King Robotnik is what you say he is, then I shall have to deal with him. But that will come later. Would you like something to eat?

Sonya: Um…sure…

Artov lead her out of the cave. He was rather large compared to her; his head alone was as big as she was. Now in the light, Sonya could see that the dragon was black, with two large wings extending from the shoulder blades, and it used its arms and hands as a second set of legs when it walked on all fours. Artov's tail was fairly long, and was suspended just above the ground as the creature walked. The dragon had a face that looked rather fearsome at first, but seemed kinder when one saw it up close. It had a thick snout with a sturdy jaw, and three horns extended on each side from the back of the head. It had two small, yellow eyes with narrow, cat-like black pupils. They walked away from the cave, into a grove of apple trees.

Artov: Would you care for one?

Sonya: An apple? Sure…

Sonya wasn't entirely certain, but had given her answer in hopes of keeping the dragon happy. Plus the apples really did look quite good. The dragon reached forward and upwards with its folded wings, and plucked an apple by grabbing it with the sharp claws that protruded from one of the joints in the wings. He lowered the apple down, and then reached up with a hand to grab it. Artov did so, and then handed the fruit to Sonya.

Sonya: Thanks.

She accepted the apple, and bit into it. It was delicious, and she began to devour it. She stopped when she saw the dragon grab another one with his wings. This time, though, he tossed into the air and caught it in his mouth. The dragon clamped his mouth shut as small flickers of fire escaped through the teeth. A moment later, they stopped, and Sonya just stared, confused.

Artov: I like mine grilled.

Sonya giggled at this, and again after Artov did it a few more times. The apples were more like candy than food to him, but he still liked to eat them.

Artov: You know, I still don't know your name.

Sonya: It's Sonya.

After a short while, Artov suggested something to Sonya.

Artov: So, I suppose you want to go home now…

Sonya: Yeah, that would be kinda nice. But I don't know where home is…

Artov: I do.

Artov lowered himself to the ground, and motioned for Sonya to climb onto his back.

Artov: Hop on, I'll give you a lift.

Cautiously, Sonya approached the dragon. She placed a foot on his arm, using it as a step to get onto the dragon's back. She was soon ready, and sat at the base of the creature's neck.

Sonya: Okay, I'm ready…

Artov: That's what you think.

Sonya: Huh?

Her question was answered when the dragon ran to a clearing in the trees, extended his wings, and took to the air. It was like a horse ride; one more extreme than she had ever been on before. With each flap of Artov's mighty wings, they rose higher and higher into the air. Meanwhile, it was morning at the castle of Arrow Zebedee, and everyone had gotten the news about Sonya's abduction. That's when Billy decided to unveil his latest invention. It was a suit of armor that was very light, but very strong and fire-resistant. It came with a shield made of the same material.

Billy: I made it after that little incident with the dragon yesterday. I'm sorry, but I only had enough time for one.

Scotty: That's okay, Bill. Sonic, can I use it to try and find whoever took Sonya? I'll bet it was that dragon!

Sonic: Probably. She was on the castle wall last I heard, and that dragon is the only one that could've done this. Scotty, you have my permission to use the armor.

Knuckles: Hooray! For once I'm NOT the guinea pig!

Billy: Yes, it would seem so, my brother.

Unknown to them, the dragon and Sonya were flying low over a field. There were some wild cattle ahead, and Artov eyed them.

Sonya: Whoo! This is fun, Artov…But shouldn't you watch out for those cows up ahead?

Artov: Oh I'm watching them alright.

Sonya: What are you saying?

Artov: You had your breakfast, and now I'm getting mine!

Artov grabbed one of the cows and flew higher. He chomped down onto it with his teeth, and the creature soon died. There were some sickening noises as Artov swallowed the cow whole.

Sonya: Eew…

Artov: Meals to go…Just think, maybe that'll catch on someday…

Sonya: Yeah, and maybe they'll have indoor plumbing someday, too.

They both laughed at that as they flew on. At that time, back at the castle, Scotty had dawned the armor as Billy continued to explain it.

Scotty: So, this thing will protect me against the magic of a dragon's flame?

Billy: Well, I'm not sure; a dragon's flame isn't magic at all, it's simply a combination of highly volitale chemicals created by several glands in the-

Scotty: --Billy! Billy, that's enough. I don't need a science lesson here.

Billy: Oh…Sorry. Um…Well, good luck.

Sonic: Hang on, Scott, just how are you gonna find the dragon?

Scotty: I have a feeling that the dragon will find me.

Scotty ran outside, and was near the border of Olde York when, sure enough, the dragon and he saw each other. The dragon saw the knight in his armor, and neither he nor Sonya recognized him to be Scotty.

Artov: Uh-oh. It looks like we might have a problem.

Artov flew to the ground, and let Sonya down behind some trees.

Artov: You wait here. I'll take care of him.

Sonya: Wait a minute! Can't we just fly over him?

Artov: No…I've seen this type of setup before. Somewhere behind that knight will be a bunch of archers determined to shoot me down. But if I take out the knight, the archers will leave.

Sonya: Be careful!

Artov: Don't worry, I haven't been slain yet.

Artov went out to confront Scotty, and the two stared each other down. Scotty spoke, but Artov hadn't heard his voice, so he still didn't know it was him.

Scotty: You! Dragon! I'm gonna take you down!

Artov: Bring it on!

Artov leaned back as he inhaled, and then shot a huge blast of fire at the knight. Scotty ducked behind his shield, and was protected from the blaze. When it was over, Scotty charged at the dragon, but the creature folded its wings and rolled to one side, evading the stab. He continued to roll until he had enough distance to get to his feet and take to the air.

Scotty: Get back here!

Artov breathed more fire at Scotty as he passed over the hedgehog. Sonya watched the fight from the trees, quietly rooting for the dragon since she didn't recognize Scotty. Artov made a landing, and then charged at Scotty, who was still recovering from the previous attack. He used his head like a bull, and flung Scotty into the air. The dragon grabbed the hedgehog in midair in his jaws, but didn't clamp down very tightly. That wouldn't be fun enough. Instead, Artov swung his head and released Scotty, hurling him to the ground. The hedgehog was motionless after that, and his armor was damaged. The helmet had fallen off, revealing Scotty's face. Sonya immediately recognized it, but Artov did not.

Sonya: Scotty!

Artov ran up and stood over the motionless Scotty, and raised a clawed hand into the air to finish the knight off. Just as he started to swing, Sonya jumped in the way. Artov managed to stop his hand at the last second from crushing them both, and looked at Sonya, confused.

Sonya: Stop! Please, you can't do this!

Artov: Why not? It's just another useless knight!

Sonya: No! This one is MY knight!

Artov: Huh?

Sonya fell to her knees in front of Scotty, and held his head in her lap. Scotty faced the sky, eyes closed and barely breathing. When Artov looked closer, he remembered seeing a green hedgehog the day before. Understanding, the dragon sat down in front of them both, facing them.

Artov: Sonya, I'm…I'm sorry.

Sonya: <sigh> It's okay. You didn't know.

Artov: He's going to need help.

Sonya: I have some friends back at my castle that can provide it.

Artov: Then let's get you there.

Sonya picked up Scotty's sword from the ground, and climbed back onto Artov. The dragon carefully lifted Scotty up, and carried him in his arms as they took to the air again. They soon reached the castle, and Sonic saw them approach. However, Sonic didn't notice who Artov was carrying, and ran out to attack the dragon, which had, at the advice of Sonya, landed a short distance away. When they landed, Sonya quickly hopped down, and stood in front of the dragon. She knew someone, most likely Sonic, would come, and wanted to avoid another fight. A few Seconds later, Sonic did arrive, and was shocked at what he saw.

Sonic: Sonya! Get away from that monster!

Sonya: Sonic, wait! He's not a monster. Artov is my friend!

Sonic: How can you say that?! Look what he's done to Scott!

Artov: I…can explain that.

Sonic: Quiet, dragon! Come on Sonya, let's get away from that thing before he turns on us.

Sonya: <sigh> I didn't think it would come to this. Artov, remember what we discussed on the way here?

Artov: Yeah.

Sonya: Let's do it.

Artov: Whatever you say.

Artov lowered his head to the ground, and opened his mouth wide. This made Sonic nervous, and he stood ready to attack. Sonya looked back at Sonic before sticking her head in the dragon's mouth.

Sonic: Sonya, are you crazy?!

Sonya: No, I'm trying to prove a point. Artov has just been misunderstood, that's all, but he's really a good guy.

Sonya removed her head, crossed her arms, and stared stubbornly at Sonic. The hedgehog was silent for a few moments as he thought to himself. Finally, he spoke.

Sonic: <sigh> The others won't be so easily convinced, you know.

Sonya smiled, and they all began to head back to the castle…

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Hey, I bet you didn't see that coming. And if you did, well, go win the lottery or something, okay?

Stay tuned!