The Seven Medallions

Episode 16

The Tribe, Part 2
Pipers POV
"She has returned!!!" The young coyote said.
He danced about me, his spear pointing up in the air. The gang stared at this display, confusion swelling in their faces. My cheeks glowed red. This was getting out of hand.
Who on Möbius was Princess Philimena?

Suddenly, the young boy grabbed my hand and dragged me to the forest. I cried out, and Sonic sped after us. The others ran behind.
You would have thought that Sonic would have caught up to us easily, and that I would have broken free, but that would be wrong.

Although Sonic was fast, the coyote knew his way around the forest. He knew secret passageways and shortcuts to hide us from view. He was also STRONG. I could not tear myself away, no matter how hard I pulled.
He suddenly grabbed me by the waist and pulled me up into the trees. He swung on vines and carried me farther away from my friends. I tried to call out to them so they could follow us by my voice, but the coyote covered my mouth.

We were hidden from view by the massive vines and leaves hanging from trees. I was separated from Sonic, Tails, Clair, Amy, Knuckles, and Shadow, and who knew for how long.
I needed to act fast.
I bit the hand of the coyote who yelped and let go in response.
Probably not the smartest move for someone who was high up and far from the ground.
I fell.
One thing that I am absolutely afraid of is heights.
You may think that weird for someone who has a super jump, because I can easily jump when I hit the ground, and not get hurt.
But I don't work that way.
I have to jump off the ground to be able to then hit it and bounce away to safety. If I don't start on the ground, then I can't bounce to keep myself from getting hurt.
In these rare cases, I'm terrified of heights.

I screamed as I plummeted to the ground, hitting tree limbs and vines. I knew that because I didn't bound off of the ground, I wouldn't be able to super jump. I grew closer and closer to the ground, but I never hit it.
Someone had caught me.
I stared up at the face of an older coyote, and not the one who had taken me. He seemed gentler and kinder.
His face was confused. No doubt I had just fell into his open arms unannounced. And thank goodness they were open.

"Uh, hi." I squeaked, still getting over the fact that I had almost become a pancake.
"H-hello." His voice was smooth.
"Link!" I heard a familiar voice call out. "You caught the princess!"
My tiny kidnapper flung himself from the shadows and playfully landed on my saviors back. "I thought she was a goner!"
"Princess?" Link looked at me hard.
"That's what I was going to ask myself." I gulped, recovering from the sudden shock.
"She's Princess Philimena! I know she is! She looks just like her!" The little beast jumped off and danced about, clearly full of himself.

Link laughed. "Runt, Princess Philimena is a legend."
My kidnapper, Runt, stopped abruptly and stared at Link.
"You've never believed what our people do! You are a traitor!" Runt grumbled. "You don't live our lifestyle!"
Link sighed as Runt continued.
"I'm taking her to Chief, wether you like it or not."
Runt stared at us. "Could you two please get a room?"
I stared at Link, my cheeks rosy once more. He was still holding me bridal style.
Link blushed crimson and set me down.
"My apologies, eh, what's your name?"
I blinked. "uh- Piper. Piper Pink. Nice to meet you."
Suddenly, Runt grabbed my hand once more and dragged me to their village, Link close behind.

The village was small. They were all tents, much like indian tepees. Coyotes roamed through the tents, bustling about. Some churned butter, while others sewed. The men all gathered berries. It was like a piece of Indian history, preserved in a corner of the woods.
Still, a sent of death hung over the atmosphere. I didn't like it.

I saw crippled people and sick ones. Some were cut up, beaten, or bleeding.
They all looked at me when I entered.
Everyone stopped bustling. Everyone stopped healing.
It was as if the whole world had stopped.
The staring eyes of the villagers stung me. I felt uneasy as I was dragged by Runt to the largest of all the tents; their Chiefs tent.

"Runt!" A voice called out. "Why do you barge in so? Why do you disturb my rest! You know it is my hour of peace..."
"I am sorry, Chief Exodus. But it is urgent. I have found Princess Philimena!"
An old coyote looked up at us. His ancient eyes stared deep down into mine. I could feel them change to grey, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Father," Link went forward. "Runt believes that old fairytale about the princess, and has mistaken-"

"Princess Philimena is not a fairytale, Link." Chief Exodus stood up. He towered over us all.
"She is real," he stared at me, "and she is here. You have returned at the perfect time, Princess."
He bowed to me. My eyes turned to mint green. Everyone here was out of their mind!

"Her name is Piper, father. She is not a princess."
"How dare you!" Exodus scolded his son. Link seemed to be the only sane one in this place.
"Excuse me, but who is Princess Philimena?" I said to the Chief. He stared at me strangely, then laughed.
"Of course! You have lost your memory! The ancient scribes have predicted that." He motioned to me. "Come, child. I shall show you."
I unwillingly followed him, through the tent. Runt laughed. Link gulped. 🌟

Authors note- oooooooo 🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚
QOTD- What's going on? Why is Link scared for Piper? And is Piper really Princess Philimena?
Tootles!!!