Realm Sagas: Story 16: Green Hill Zone: Act 3 By: Chandra Rooney ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- {We put this stuff up here because it is written as rule #5 of the sacred gibbon's code of fanfic posting to do so!} And as hard as it is to believe, there's even more *ominous music plays* {okay it's actually country music}...LEGAL STUFF this time than the time before: Sonic & Knuckles, and all related characters are copy-right of Sega and Archie comics. KTE, Jack, Masked Echidna, and Possessed Spam are copy-right of KTE/Possessed Spam. Vampire Sephiroth is copy-right of Vampire Sephiroth. The Green Gibbon! is copy-right of GG! Bo Bayles is copy-right of Bo Bayles. Ecco the Dolphin is copy-right of Ecco the Dolphin. Delphine is copy-right of Delphine Kiminsu. Princess Stephanie is copy-right of Stephanie. Sword is copy-right of SWORD. Virtuababe is copy-right of Virtuababe. Sweet Honey is copy-right of Sweet Honey. D-H Sonic F is copy-right of D-H Sonic F. Moon the Echidna, Selene, Gabriel Shadows, k.a. Echidna, Sailor Evil, Lirsage and all other original realm sagas characters, as well as Spice Da Green Echidna, are copy-right of Chandra Rooney. All the characters and ideas presented are my own, unless otherwise noted. NOTE: A lot of the info on the GHZ came from the HPF (Hidden Place Forum) and the Sky Sanctuary Poll. {whew!} ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One: Local: The Library, Green Hill Zone Delphine Kiminsu pushed her coppery hair out of her green-tinted, blue eyes. She was dressed as usual in her baggy jeans, white baby tee, and light green wind-breaker. She put the journal back into its slot. Catching up on reading everyone's letters was sure exhausting. A shadow fell across the floor. She yawned. "Is that you, GG!?" "Nope, sorry," a voice replied. Del looked up. A tall human guy was standing a few feet inside the door. His eyes were a twilight blue, and his hair a frost-blond. He smiled a nice smile. It reminded her of someone else's, but she couldn't recall who. He was dressed casually in blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black jacket. It was kind of creepy that his black boots barely made a noise as he walked over to her. "Hello," Del smiled back. "I'm Delphine Kiminsu." "I'm Ashrire," he extended his hand. "Delphine's a lovely name. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kiminsu." "Please, call me Del," she replied. "Ash Rire. I haven't heard that one before. Are you new?" "It's my first visit to the Green Hill Zone," he nodded. "And it's only one name; Ashrire. But, please, call me Ash." "No last name, Ash?" "Nope. You see, Del, my family was very poor and we couldn't afford it." He grinned to show he was joking. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." "Give me some time; I can top it. After all, It's still early." Del laughed. She was about to say something else, but another voice coming from outside the door way cut her off. "You're certain?" "Yeah, yeah, Soup Broth. It's in there." She looked up to ask Ash if he knew who it was, but stopped. A moment ago his eyes had been a lighter blue color, and sparkling. Now they were a darker green-tinged color, and cold as ice. He had stopped smiling; his mouth set in a firm line. "Ash, what's wrong?" she asked, concerned. "What is it?" When he answered, he spoke to her, but his eyes never left the doorway. "Trouble, Del. It's trouble." The two figures stepped into the library. The first was a tall, silver-haired guy with green eyes. Del had never seen him before, but the two-tailed green fox with him was well-known to her. "GG!" Del cried. "There you are!" "You know this guy?" Ash asked. "Of course! That's the Green Gibbon!," Del told him. "This is his place." Ash frowned. "Why is he ignoring us?" She shrugged. "Oh, his mind's probably somewhere else, as usual." GG! reached up and pulled down a book from a section marked "Speedway". He nodded to the other. "It's in this one." The other took the book. "Excellent." "Not good," Ash muttered. "If *he* says excellent then it's definitely not good." "What's going on, GG!?" Del asked. GG! looked up, as if just noticing she was there. "Oh, hello, Delphine," he replied. "A friend of yours?" the other guy asked. "I suppose." GG! shrugged. "It's rather rude that you haven't introduced her. Such a pretty thing." "Delphine Kiminsu, Vampire Sephiroth." He shrugged again. "I dunno who that guy with her is." "Oh, I'm pretty sure I don't need an introduction." Ash had drawn a silver dagger. Del could see a blue stone embedded in its hilt. Vampire Sephiroth threw back his head, and laughed. "But it's only *proper*." He smiled coldly. "Miss Kiminsu, Green Gibbon!, allow me to present the son of Lord Dimitri and next-in-line for the crown of the First House of Warriors, Prince Ashrire." "Prince?" Del looked over at the blond guy. Ash looked just as confused as she felt. "Come, come," Vampire Sephiroth sneered. "Did your father not tell you who he is? Or are you simply more stupid than your name-sake, and cannot put two and two together?" "That makes four," GG! said for no reason. "I'm in no mood for your games, Sephir*jerk*." Ash replied. "What are you doing here?" "That's none of your business," GG! snapped. "On the contrary," Vampire Sephiroth smiled. "A Realm Protector like Ashrire would make' it his business." "Realm Protector?" Del echoed. GG! matched his evil grin. "That's another Master Tool," he pointed to the dagger, "Ain't it?" Vampire Sephiroth nodded. He opened the book, and Del could see that the pages were only half-there. The rest was a compartment. He pulled out a green power-ring. "Why don't you see what you can do with this?" GG! took it. He held it for a second, nodded slightly, then threw it like a Frisbee at Ash. The ring glowed, and reshaped into a claw-like device, which grabbed Ash's dagger. Then it turned like a boomerang, and returned to GG!. "Da heck?" Ash blinked. "Oh, he has the same expression that Ashrire-kuh had when I did that to him," Vampire Sephiroth remarked, laughing. "Excellent work, Green Gibbon!." "Good thing I brought my medallion," Del said. She threw an energy ball at him. He easily cast it off. "So you want to see a demonstration of *real* power." He charged an Ultima attack, and released it at her. "Del! Get down!" Ash tried to knock out of the way, but it only resulted in getting himself caught in the Ultima blast as well. They both dropped to the ground. "Cool. Can we turn em into materias now?" GG! asked. "What a fool. Jumping into the path of the Ultima," Vampire Sephiroth muttered. Ash moaned. GG! walked over to where they lay, and kicked him in the stomach. "Yeah. That was a *really* stupid move. I can tell you've never played FFVII." He kicked him again. "What now?" "We take them back to the Sky Sanctuary, and then we go and get the other Master Tools." Chapter Two: Just outside the Hidden Place Forum, Green Hill Zone Sword took out his rifle. He screwed on the silencer, and attached the infra-red scope. From where he was set-up, he had a clear shot at the floating, green, two-tailed fox. "Is it gonna take long?" the green echidna in the mini-dress whined. "I'm bored." "Shut-up, Spice," Princess Stephanie snapped. "Let Sword do his job." Sword grinned. "Heh. Yeah. One-shot, KA-POW!" "Doesn't a gun make move of a 'BANG' sound?" He shrugged. "I dunno. I was asleep half the time in assassin school." "They have schools for that?" Spice asked. "Yeah. Do they have schools to teach you how to be an air-head, or is does it just comes naturally to you?" he asked. She pouted. "You're both a couple of meanies." He picked up his gun. "Let's find out if it's a KA-POW or a BANG." A little, red dot appeared on the fox's chest. Sword pulled the trigger, and watched the furry drop to the ground. "Hey, whaddya know. With a silencer it's not a KA-POW or a BANG." He stood. "C'mon, ladies, let's go retrieve the body." Local: Hidden Place Forum Moon the Echidna was the first to react. "Ohmigod!" She exclaimed, dark blue eyes wide. "Someone killed the GG! Doll!" "Da hell?!" Lirsage added. "Those demons!" "Who?" Bo Bayles asked. "Whoever pulled the trigger," Possessed Spam replied. "Good question, Ecco," Bo read off the screen. "Who?" "It was the Lone Gunman!" another voice yelled. "Huh?" Moon blinked. "D-H Sonic F! Did you shot the GG! Doll?" Bo asked. D-H Sonic F shook his head. "Nope." "Who's the Lone Gunman?" Possessed Spam asked. "I dunno," he shrugged. "I just felt like yellin it." The green echidna, the human girl, and the assassin walked in. "Hey it's Sword," Jack said, stealing his hat back from Possessed Spam. "Who?" D-H Sonic F asked. "If you shot him, Sword, you are in so much trouble!" Possessed Spam yelled. "You're not supposed to be playing with guns!" "Shut-up Spam!" Sword yelled. "Or you're next!" "Okay," the green echidna spoke up. "Now that the Green Gibbon! is, like, dead; I, like, totally claim this whole place in the name of Lord Enerjak." "Like hell you will," Lir muttered. He walked over to them, fishing out his i.d. badge. "Excuse me, folks." "Yeah? Whaddya want?" the green echidna demanded. "Agent Lirsage of the Realm Enforcers," he showed her the badge. "I'm afraid that you're in violation of some serious traveller's codes, Miss...?" "I'm Spice Da Green Echidna," she replied. "You're pretty cute Agent Lirsage. You can stand by me." Lir frowned. "You're not listening to me.." Spice put a beta particle blaster against his temple, and smiled sweetly. "Well, since you insist," he swallowed. "Uh, guys? I'm gonna stand over here by Miss Spice." "Now," Spice waved the gun, "the rest of you get tied up." "Aren't you gonna ask if we'll cooperate first?" Jack asked. "No, I'm not stupid." She snapped. "Did my father ask who would cooperate before he took over the island? No! He just did it and killed anyone who got in his way. Now, stand still, and let Sword and Princess Stephanie tie you up." "Swim for it, Ecco! Find GG! Get help!" Bo yelled. "Buddy system!" Spice dictated. "Tie them up in groups of two! If your partner goes missing you die! That way no hero business." "Hey, guys," Virtuababe walked in. "I'd like you to meet my friend, Sweet Honey." "Hi," Sweet Honey waved. Spice fired a shot into the air. "Excuse me! I am taking over this place here!" "What the hell?" Virtuababe asked. "I thought you told me it was safe to come," Sweet Honey added. "Tie her," Spice pointed to Virtuababe and D-H Sonic F "up with him." They did. "Who else?" Sword asked. "The cowboy with the can-thing," Spice continued. "It's not a cowboy hat!" Jack yelled. "Her with him," she pointed to Sweet Honey and Bo. "Oh, that leaves poor Moon lonely. A blue Moon, sniffle, sob, sad. We can't have that." Spice pistol wiped Lir. "You can keep her company, Agent boy." "That was rather easy," Princess Stephanie smiled. "At least these natives are smart enough to see resistance is futile." Chapter Three: Local: Sky Sanctuary, Green Hill Zone Del shook Ashrire. "C'mon, wake-up!" "My head..." he mumbled, opening his eyes and sitting up. "What happened?" "That energy blast; that's what happened." Del muttered. "We're stuck in this room, and they've got Metal Sonic and Metal Knuckles guarding us." She shook her head. "I can't believe GG! let it happen." "I think," Ash paused, standing. "We need to warn the others." <> he sent telepathically. <> Her response was strained. Obviously she was in trouble. <> <> <> Jack's mind cut in. <> <> He told him. <> Moon asked again. <> He paused. <> <> Jack asked in dismay. But the reason for his knowledge about Ultimas remained concealed. <> <> <> <> Another voice answered. <> Jack demanded. <> There was a pause from Ash. <> <> Del continued, ignoring him. <> <<*The* dagger? As in your Master Tool, the Blade of the Guardian?>> Jack asked Ash. <> Moon paused. <> <> Ash asked. <> Moon wondered. <> <> Del interrupted. <> <> Jack told them. <> Del was confused. <> Jack offered as explanation. <> <> Moon cut in. <> <> <> Jack reported. <> Del asked. <> Jack paused. <> <> Ash reconnected. <> <> Jack demanded. <> Ash paused, seeming to collect his thoughts. <> <> Jack. <> <> Moon told him. <> <> Jack gave a mental wince. <> <> Del asked. <> <> Jack seemed to have something. <> <> Moon agreed. <> Ash let go of the link and turned to Del. " 'Appear' there?" she asked. "Yes. I've done it before. I can't believe I didn't think of it myself. But bringing another person along for the ride..." he trailed off. Then he nodded. "Sure. But you'll have to come closer than that. Less space to concentrate on." "How close?" "Honestly? The closer the better. I've only been at this a few months. We wouldn't want any mishaps." "If this is some clever ploy to get me into your arms, buddy..." "Any other time I would be thrilled to have you in my arms," Ash flashed her a brief smile, then it vanished. "But right now, miss Kiminsu, I've got more important things on my mind." He paused. "Like the lives of Jack and Moon." "You don't think GG! would kill them?!" "GG!? No. Sephiroth? Definatly." He cast an impatient look at her. "Well? What are you waiting for? C'mere and let's get outta this place." "Are you sure about this?" Del took a hesitant step forward. "Del! I do it all the time. It's a easy as driving. Especially since I'll be doing the driving." He grinned, his confidence returned. "You just give me your hand, close your eyes, and next thing you know-" Local: Hidden Place Forum, Green Hill Zone They materialized behind the trees. The tied-up group of GHZers was clearly visible. So was the green echidna, the human girl and the assassin. "That must be Spice," the voice beside her muttered. "Jack did say Spice Da Green Echidna, right?" Del turned to see the echidna beside her. "Who are you? Where'd Ashrire go?" The silver male narrowed twilight blue eyes at her; annoyed. "Del, I *am* Ashrire." "Oh." She paused. "You look like Knuckles. A little, anyway." He smiled sadly. "You'd be surprised how many people tell me that." A pause. "Wait, this isn't important. That is. How do we stop the take-over?" "I don't know. How 'bout running down there and start kicking? There's only three of them," and they don't look so tough." "Wrong-o. There's gonna be more soon. Remember? The Realm Destroyers are on their way." He chewed his lip absently. "We need to get those people untied. The greater the number, the more likely Sailor Evil will turn tail and run." Del pulled out her dagger. "Stupid. They didn't even take this." "Not really stupid. Just over-confident. That sums up Sephiroth nicely." He pointed. "You take that group over there, I'll get this one. Try not to be seen until everyone's free." Chapter Four: Spice bounced around happily. She did a little dance. Then stuck her tongue out at Moon. "Bet you're wishin that your stupid people were nicer to me now." Moon ignored her. "GG! won't let you get away with this." "GG!'s dead," Spice pointed to the GG! Doll. "That's the GG! Doll, you ditz," Moon snapped. "I don't believe I could possibly be so stupid." "I don't believe I could possibly be so boring," Spice tsk-tsked. "You should fire your hair-stylist, dearie." "Nice come back." Possessed Spam began. "I would applaud, but I'm all tied up. Get it? Pretty good, huh, cowboy?" "I'm not a cowboy, and Moon already used that pun," Jack snapped. "I didn't hear her," D-H Sonic F said. "I'm getting a stiff neck," Virtuababe complained. "So, Honey, you, uh, met GG! yet?" Bo asked. "Man, he is your biggest fan." "I'm not Candy," Sweet Honey replied. "And I have a boy-friend." "Well, then I guess it doesn't matter if you die," GG! said. He walked into the HPF with Vampire Sephiroth, and Sailor Evil. He looked around. "Somebody's been busy." Spice gawked. "You said he was dead!" "I thought he was!" Princess Stephanie told her. "Uh, hello Mr. Gibbon. Spice and I are here on behalf of the Great Lord Snively." "That loser?" GG! sneered. "He can go to hell as far as I'm concerned. I don't have to take orders from him." Possessed Spam stared, open-mouth. "Did I just hear what I think I heard?" Jack elbowed him in the back. "No thinking. And yeah, GG! did just insult Snively." Bo nearly choked. "GG! would never do that!" "Yeah!" D-H Sonic F added. "HE'S A FAKE!!" "You can all die then," GG! muttered. "Where's your loyalty?" "Not to you," Virtuababe snapped. "Untie us so we can get rid of these losers, GG!." "Yeah, you don't want them to take over this place," Sweet Honey added. "I could really care less about the GHZ," GG! replied. "WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE GREEN GIBBON!?!!" Possessed Spam yelled. "THE SACRED GIBBON WOULD NEVER SAY THAT!!!!!" "Ow," Jack muttered. "My ears." "Calm down, Spam," Moon said. "GG! must just be feeling a little under the weather." "Actually, I've never felt better," GG! turned to her. "Now hand over the wand." "Who me?" She asked innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about, GG!." "Hand it over, or I'll take it from you." GG! smiled. "And with you all tied up it's gonna be hard to stop me. I might get a little rough." "Your dreams," Moon muttered. "And I'm telling you, I don't have it." GG! slapped her across the face, hard. "Don't lie to me, Moon!" She gasped, tasting blood in her mouth. "What in Hecate's Darkest Pit has gotten into you, GG!?" "Exactly that," Sailor Evil smirked. "Darkness. The Dark Chaos Corruption Kiss." GG! smacked her again. "I want the wand, Moon." He grabbed her shoulders. "Now give me it." "Get your hands off my sister," Ash appeared. "Ash!" Del cried. "What about the plan? Untie people without being seen?" "Screw the plan," Ash snapped coldly. He narrowed his eyes at GG!. "Well, it appears that you cannot even hold Realm Protector form without your Master Tool, Ashrire," Vampire Sephiroth sneered. "A pity." "Oh, you mean this thing?" GG! held up the Blade of the Guardian. He sliced the ropes binding Moon and Lir. Moon smiled. "I know it couldn't be true, GG!. It was all an act, right?" GG! smiled back, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Sure, Moon, it was all an act." He drew his hand back, and hit her again; this time hard enough to knock her out. Then, he picked her up, and slung her over a shoulder. "Excellent work, Green," Sailor Evil smiled. "We can use her as a hostage." "You put my sister down," Ash snarled. "C'mere and make me, *Ashly*." GG! shot back. He growled and leapt at GG!, but Vampire Sephiroth stepped in front, and knocked him to the ground. "You're an idiot, son of Dimitri," he said calmly. "How long can you stay like this? Even now, I sense how your will falters against the strong spells placed on you." "Let's go, Green," Sailor Evil whispered. "Here's where we sneak out." She pointed to the realm portal. He nodded. "Bite me, Sephirjerk," Ash snapped. Vampire Sephiroth's fangs descended. "With pleasure." Jack leapt up; knocking Possessed Spam over. "You think you stand a chance against us, Soup Broth?" "How'd you get free?" Spice demanded. Jack switched his grip on his own blade. Possessed Spam sat up. "Free! Oh, you're in *BIG* trouble now, Sword!" "NO WAY!" Sword yelled. "I'M OUTTA HERE!" He ran off. Possessed Spam grabbed his mallet. "Cut everybody loose, Del! We're gonna show these two what happens when you mess with us GHZers!" "Uh oh," Princess Stephanie stood. "Retreat!" Spice stopped only long enough to yell: "We'll be back!" Then they disappeared after Sword. "You mean I cut everyone loose for nothing?" Del asked. "No, we can all tag team Sephiroth!" Bo yelled. "Cool," D-H Sonic F replied. "We'll help," Virtuababe agreed. "Right, Honey?" "You bet!" Sweet Honey nodded. "That won't be necessary, ladies and gentleman," Lir was getting to his feet. "I'm sure Ash and Jack have everything under control." "Oh you bet we do," Ash growled. "Hardly, *Ashly*," Vampire Sephiroth laughed, and looked directly at Lir. "But as that dear friend of Sailor Evil's, ETK, was so fond of saying; he who runs away lives to fight another day." He vanished. "You bastard!" Lir cried. "Son of a Demon! Come back here and fight!" "GG!'s gone too," Jack noted. "So's Sailor Evil. Must've sneaked off while Sephy blocked us." "As I told Del, the greater the number; the more likely Sailor Evil is to back off," Ash replied. "They have Moon." Lir's turn to growl. "They also have three Master Tools, and now two Realm Protectors," Ash groaned. "Where is Shadows? And Tonia and Leslie?" "They must've got lost," Jack muttered. "At least we still have my sword." "Yeah, but that won't help tell when we come across another Realm Protector or Master Tool," Lir sighed. "But it's something." "We need to find out where they went," Ash said. "But how?" "I hate to interrupt, you boys," Del stepped into their group. "But did any of you think of reading this?" She held out a piece of paper to Ash. "Da hell?" Lir blinked. Ash took it, and read the message. "What is it, Ash?" Jack asked. "A clue." Chapter Five: Local: Unknown "You left them a clue?" Sailor Evil demanded. "Why did you do that?" "It's only...*sporting*, m'love," Vampire Sephiroth replied. He chuckled as she stormed out, pouting. "It's all going according to plan." "Yo, Soup Broth!" GG! yelled. "What did you want to tell me?" "Nothing. Only that you were very wise to join the winning side," he smiled. "I'm sure with some persuasion Moon will reach the same conclusion." to be continued... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I opt out of putting a cast list here for the simple reason that there's too many people, and I can't think of questions/comments for all of them. Instead I take the space to thank all the GHZers that offered characters for this set of fanfics. Especially Delphine Kiminsu, Bo Bayles, Ecco the Dolphin, Possessed Spam, and (last but not least) the Green Gibbon! who said "I dunno, it's your story. Do whatever the heck you want with me".