Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Stage is Set ❯ The Ancient Power of Spirit and Soul ( Chapter 10 )

A/N: After such a long time of silence, I am back with the latest chapter of The Stage is Set.

WARNING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC: Nothing real special happens in this chapter. I just wrote it to inform you people of stuff. Yeah. So, here ya's go.

Chapter 10: The Ancient Power of Spirit and Soul

"So, what is Soul Energy, Tikal?" Sonic asked.

"It's exactly as it sounds," she answered. "Energy harvested from the souls of living beings."

"So now Eggy can steal souls?" I asked.

"No, no. I guess that I should first tell you about how Soul Energy works. Does anyone think they know?"

"Isn't a being's soul their life force?" Tails asked. "It's what keeps them seperate from being like zombies or something."

"Yes, that is correct. Without a soul, the body would just be an empty shell, similar to that of the bodies of the undead."

"Alright, and so far I have learned nothing that I already didn't know," Sonic said. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"When a person dies," Tikal continued, ignoring Sonic, "three things happen. First, the body stops functioning and begins to deteriorate. Second, the person's spirit and consciousness leave the body and are transported to either heaven or hell. And lastly, the soul leaves the body."

"Where does the soul go?" Jinn asked.

"To a Spirit Fountain," Tikal answered. "A Spirit Fountain is a large pool of collected souls. They then begin to transform into a type of energy that can be used by other people."

"...Sprit Fountain," I muttered.

"You know something about them?" Sonic asked.

"No. Well, nothing about them, but I know that Roland is searching for Spirit Fountains to revive Chaos."

"Eh, no worries. I've beaten Chaos loads of times, even when he was in his perfect form," Sonic said.

"Different Chaos," I said. "This one is much more powerful than the Chaos you know of."

"So, what do these Spirit Fountains look like?" Knuckles asked.

"I think it would be better if I showed you," Tikal said. She closed her eyes, and she looked like she was concentrating pretty hard. A light began shining above her, slowly growing brighter. Soon the light was too bright, and everyone had to look away. The light began to die down again, and we all looked to what she had summoned. It was a large, purpleish-blue diamond that floated above us. Sighing, she opened her eyes and said, "These kinds take a lot more concentration to summon..."

"There's different kinds?" I asked.

"No, this one is pretty much a new born. It's still immature, so we won't be able to use it against Eggman just yet."

"So, how much longer until we can?" Sonic asked.

"About two hundred more years."

Groaning, Sonic looked down to the ground. "So, if we can't use this one, why'd you even bother showing it to us?"

"I am not able to help you directly with your fight against Eggman, but I can at least tell you what you are up against," Tikal said. She turned back to the Spirit Fountain. "Now, this is what holds the energy that is powering Eggman and all of Roland's army."

'Army? Is she talking about the baddies from the other worlds?' I wondered. 'How much does she know, anyways?'

"And to be able to tap into the fountain's powers, you will need one of these." Tikal held out her hands, each one holding a coin. In her left hand, was a coin the sparkled a bright white-ish color, while the one in the right hand glowed with a dark aura. "These coins allow you to manipulate the energy that Spirit Fountains contain."

"Why does that one look so...evil?" Knuckles asked, pointing to the dark one.

"This coin lets you create a horrible soul monster. It is a fearsome beast that mows down any and all that stand against it."

"And the white one?" I asked.

"Transfers some energy into another container, whether it be a body or another type of holder."

"Like the Dark Emerald..." Tails muttered.

"Correct. I only wish that there was a way to nullify that emerald's power. It might be too much for Eggman to control."

"So, there's no way to stop it?" Sonic asked.

"The only way to beat Soul Energy is with more Soul Energy. Although, with the reappearance of the Elemental Warriors of fire and air, you might be able to stop it."

"Is there anything else you feel we need to know?" Sonic asked.

"No, I believe that is all I know. I'm sorry that I couldn't help you any more, but this is all I could do."

"No worries, Tikal," Sonic said. "We'll finish off Eggman and bring peace back to this world. Right guys?"

Everyone remained silent. None of us knew if we could finish this adventure.

"You bet!" Jinn said. "There's no way I'm gonna give up to a giant talking egg! We will win!"

"He's right," I said. "We can do this. There's no way we'll be defeated by Eggman."

"My might can overcome anything that Eggman sends at us!" Knuckles agreed.

"Yeah, and how can he fight something he can't even see?" Espio asked.

"Same here," Rouge said.

Everyone else agreed.

"Well, good luck, everyone," Tikal said, exiting the room.

I decided to follow her, and see just how much she knew about what was happening. As soon as I got out of the room, she stopped and turned to me. Is there something I can help you with, Zane?"

"H-how do you know my name?"

"You are the Elemental Warrior of Fire. You were famous thousands of years ago..."

"You are one creepy old lady, you know that?"

"I've been called worse. So, what is it you want?"

"How do you know about the other worlds, and Roland's effects in them?"

"How wouldn't I know? I know all about how Hope destroyed all the worlds in an attempt to keep us out of Chaos' grasp. Me and Chaos were sealed in the Master Emerald at the time, and it was safe from the attack because of the powers of the servers."

"Will the Chaos Emeralds help us at all with beating Eggman?"

"Probably not. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try. And Keenan's help will be of great use to you. And Shadow will help too, once you free him."

"Yeah, I knew that much already."

We stood silently for a moment, and then we heard a small thud and Sonic's voice yelling something. I ran back into the room to see Jinn on the floor, and everyone standing over him. "What happened?"

Sonic looked up at me. "We don't know. There was a bright flash of light, and then he collapsed onto the ground."

I walked up to him, turning him onto his back to check to see if he was okay. He looked fine, until I looked at his face. Or, to be more precise, his forehead. Embedded in the center of it was a purple-ish blue diamond.

"...The hell? Why is that stone in his head?"

Noone could answer, and Jinn was taken to an infirmary to rest.

After Jinn was taken out, Tikal walked up to me. "I'm sorry, but I really must return to Chaos. I wish you the utmost luck in attaining victory over Eggman. Good bye."

"Well, once Jinn wakes up, we're going. No more procrastinating. I will end this. Eggman doesn't stand a chance against me."

END CHAPTER 10

Zane: Well, there ya go. The latest chapter of this story. It will end soon, but don't be sad. The series will continue, and in the next story, another warrior will be introduced. Ebony, the prince of shadows. So, yeah. See ya next time.