The Seven Medallions

Episode 18

The Tribe, Part Four. LAST PART.

Pipers POV
Runt had come back with the people of the tribe.

There were hundreds of coyotes in the volcano. The heat and the claustrophobic atmosphere of my situation almost brought me to the point of fainting.
They had bound me up and dressed me in ancient attire. It was quite dressy and flashy, with red satin clothing my upper half and a low skirt covering my legs and rump. My stomach to my hip showed completely bare. I felt naked in front of all those people.
My arm burned with pain as they tied it to my other arm, securing my capture. I tried to free myself, but every time I tried, my arm pulled against the others and cried out in pain. Trying to escape was futile. It was no use.

Link tried to break free, but never could get out. He sat helplessly in the cage, eyes burning with rage for his father. Mine burned with nervous anticipation. Would they actually kill me to restore peace? Were they really that delusional?

It seemed that they were.

Chief Exodus walked up and stood in front of the people. He signaled to Runt to drag me over. Runt smiled and grabbed me by the foot and dragged me over to the chief. My head hit rocks on the volcano floor and they scratched my back as Runt pulled me along it. I scrunched my face in pain.
Runt then pulled me up and put me in the view of the people. Exodus smiled insanely.
"THE PRINCESS HAS RETURNED!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air.
"Now, with her second death, reunited with her treasure, our bad luck will be GONE!"
The people cheered, hooted, and hollered. They stomped their feet and clapped, excited to throw me into the lava.
I was tired. I could barely move as they tied my arms to giant vines. I closed my eyes as they carried me over to the edge.
Two coyotes then pulled on the vines attached to pulleys. They tightened. I was pulled up into the air, directly above the volcano, hung by my arms.

I screamed in pain and shock. I thought they were only going to throw me in and get it over with, but they instead hoisted me up. I hung there, dangling by my arms as the villagers cheered.

The heat was greatly affecting me. Sweat poured as I struggled to try my best to get free.
Even if I could get free, I wouldn't be able to jump away. I didn't get a bound before hand.

It was useless. I was going to die.
Chief Exodus smiled below me, his grin piercing into my eyes. He pulled a box out of his cloak and opened it.

"The Princess Philimena's TREASURE!" He exclaimed.
Out of the box came a sparkling green medallion.
A picture of a mountain was in its center, and was made out of green emerald. It sparkled in the light emanating from the lava.
The Earth Medallion.
The medallion of the land.
The fourth one.

"NOW, TO REUNITE THEM BOTH IN PARADISE!" Chief Exodus shouted. He motioned to the two coyotes holding me up, and suddenly I grew afraid. Very afraid.

Links POV.
Piper was tied up and hung there over a boiling volcano underground. She screamed out for help, her eyes turning a fearful shade of grey. She struggled amid the flames, trying to escape.
And there was nothing I could do about it.
I was tied up as well.
I sat in a cage, bound in ropes as I called out to Piper. She looked so scared, and I was for her.
Suddenly, my people cut her ropes, and she went tumbling toward the lava.
"PIPER!!!" I screamed.

Pipers POV.

I screamed as I fell toward the fluid flames beneath me. "AHHH! HELP!!" They grew closer and closer as I fell.
This was it. I was going to die.
Without anyone knowing my final goodbyes.
Without anyone knowing about the medallion.
Without anyone knowing my secret.

"PIPER!!!" I heard someone call out. Suddenly, I fell into someone's arms.
I opened my eyes as they fell upon a familiar face.
"TAILS!"
"PIPER! Hold on!"

He had me in his arms as he flew across the volcano. He looked down at me and gave me a goofy grin. I smiled. then I looked up.
"Tails! Look out!"
He looked out and yelled out as we crashed into the wall of the volcano. I screamed as I fell onto the ground.
Thank möbius that I didn't crash into the volcano, but man, that crash hurt.

I sat up and saw Tails sit up as well. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine." His cheeks were bright red and I laughed.
"Look! The plan is working!" He called out and pointed across the volcano.

My team was locked in battle. Amy, Knuckles, and Shadow were fighting off the angry villagers. They screamed because their ritual didn't go as planned. Amy swung her piko-piko hammer and knocked over many of the coyotes. Knuckles simply swung his hands about and made the citizens sorry they fount back. Shadow was locked in combat with Runt.

For a little coyote, he sure was strong.
And fast.
And agile.

"HOW DARE YOU RUIN THE RITUAL!" He screeched, swinging his little fists and dodging attacks made by the black hedgehog.
"It was my pleasure," Shadow growled, punching Runts stomach area. He flew back into the wall. His eyes fluttered shut. KO.

"NOO!" Chief Exodus yelled swinging a stick. "YOU CANNOT INTERFERE!"

I looked around at the battle, but didn't see two of my team members. Where were Sonic and Clair?

Suddenly, a blue blur shot out from the rocks above me. Sonic held Clair in his arms, shooting out over the volcano. I watched in awe as Sonic dropped Clair and she dove straight towards the lava.
"Clair! NO!" I screamed, reaching out to her. She only smiled.
"Hi Piper!"
She landed on the lava, which to my amazement and astonishment, froze immediately to ice.
"NO! NO NO NO!!!" Exodus screeched. He came closer to me, eyes flaring. "HOW DARE YOU! DAMN YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TO THE UNDERWORLD!"
I looked at him, eyes wide.
Suddenly, Sonic bursted out of nowhere and knocked Exodus clear off his feet.
"Don't you DARE hurt my friend here AGAIN. GOT IT?" Sonics eyes burned into Exodus'.
He trembled under Sonics gaze.
I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to Sonic. Again.

The battle was over. Most of the villagers had fled after being pummeled by Amy, Knuckles, and Shadow, but some were KOd, laying on the ground or slumped against the wall. The threesome stood and waved us over.
Tails lifted me up and helped me over to the group.
I hugged Clair when I got over to the group.
"I thought you were a goner! Don't do that again!"
She laughed. "I won't, promise."
"Piper!" Link called out to me, waving his arms.
I ran over to him and opened his cage. The door flew open, and he hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry..." he whispered. "My father..-"
"It's ok, Link. Don't worry. I'll be ok."
Suddenly Chief Exodus wobbled over to Link.
"What are you doing?! Get her! Tie her up! He need her to die!"

Link turned around and stared into his fathers eyes. Then back at me and my team. He smiled and looked back at Exodus.
"Never again."
Exodus stood shocked as Link tore the Medallion from his grasp and handed it to me.
"Your treasure, princess." He winked. "Think of it as a consolation gift."
Enraged, Exodus threw himself toward me. I gasped as he released his claws and tried to scratch me.

Tails jumped in front of me and took out a computer gadget. "Tails! Move!" I called out.
Then, Tails pressed a button and a taser came out and shocked the attacking chief. He groaned and fell to the ground, defeated.
I breathed a sigh of relief and held the medallion close to my chest. Then I held it out for everyone to see.
"Is that-" Amy questioned.
"It sure is," Sonic said, taking it from me and holding it up into the air.
"The fourth medallion! The Earth Medallion!" 🌟

Authors note- wow wow wow I am so sorry this is super late. But hey! The Tribe journey is finished! How'd Ya like it?