Chapter 3: Meeting Infinite and Losing Hope
Vertera's heart raced as she fought alongside the Resistance, the clang of metal echoing against the backdrop of chaos. The sky was heavy with smoke and desperation, but their resolve burned brighter. Every strike of her sword illuminated the undying spirit of those around her, each fallen foe a small victory in a seemingly endless war against Eggman and his mechanized minions.
"How's everyone holding up?!" she called out, slicing through a particularly resilient Robotnik with a swift arc of her blade. The robot fell apart in a shower of sparks, and she felt a flicker of encouragement at the sight.
"Feeling a bit worn out, but we’re hanging in there, Vertera!" Sonic shouted as he dashed past, a blur of blue determination. He twirled mid-air, his iconic grin plastered on his face even as sweat dripped down his forehead.
Vertera smiled back, a rush of adrenaline fueling her resolve. They had been fighting for what felt like hours, and exhaustion tugged at her limbs, but they couldn’t afford to falter now. Children cried for their parents; the faint echo of laughter now replaced with the thundering menace of Eggman's machines. They had to keep going—had to protect the innocents at all costs.
Suddenly, amidst the sounds of battle, a chilling presence washed over her like a cold winter wind. Vertera’s instincts screamed at her, pulling her attention from the fight for just a moment. She glanced around, her gaze snapping toward a figure draped in darkness, a swirling aura of shadows surrounding him.
Infinite.
He stood there, his eyes glowing with malice, a smirk twisted into his features. Time seemed to slow as he raised a hand, and the world around her warped, electrical tendrils crackling dangerously.
“Vertera…” his voice slithered through the air, smooth and mocking. “So eager to be the hero?”
Before she could prepare herself, he unleashed a wave of energy toward her. She dodged, but not quick enough. The force hit her side, sending pain radiating through her body like wildfire. Gritting her teeth, she fought against the urge to collapse. She had to protect her friends, her family—there were too many lives at stake.
But as she charged toward him, sword raised, her focus faltered just a moment to check on Sonic. He was tangled up with another robot, struggling to free himself.
“Help him!” Vertera shouted. “I’ll take care of Infinite!”
But Infinite was faster. With a wave of his hand, he summoned shadowy minions that surged toward her, their cold hands grasping and pulling her back, pinning her down.
“And here I thought you’d be a challenge,” he taunted, step by deliberate step, closing the distance. The darkness around him writhed and twisted, the atmosphere thickening with despair.
“Vertera!” Sonic cried out, finally managing to shake off his captor. But it was too late. Just as he reached her, the shadows enveloped her fully, and lights exploded in her vision.
A stabbing pain lanced through her as Infinite unleashed his dark energy in a final, devastating blow. It surged through her, cold and suffocating.
Everything went dark.
—
When she finally opened her eyes, she was in an unfamiliar place. The air was damp and stale, and the oppressive weight of her injuries made her groan. She attempted to move, but her body resisted, each slight motion feeding the cascade of pain coursing through her.
“Vertera,” a voice echoed through the shadows, familiar and comforting yet tinged with despair.
"Sonic?" she croaked, voice barely above a whisper.
A warm hand clasped her shoulder, and she felt a swell of hope mixed with fear.
"You're awake! We thought—” His voice trembled, and she could hear the raw emotion behind it. “What did that monster do to you?”
Panic began to creep in. “Infinite… and Eggman… they captured us?”
Sonic’s face turned grave, the light in his eyes dimming. “They took you while I was fighting. I tried to reach you, but it was all too fast.”
Vertera’s heart sank. If they had been captured, then so many others could be in danger. The fight was far from over.
“I’m sorry, Sonic,” she said, her voice laced with grief. “I’m supposed to be protecting you. We need to find a way back to the others. We can’t falter now.”
But deep inside, a nagging feeling gnawed at her. They were outmatched—Infinite was powerful, and Eggman wouldn’t waste the opportunity to crush them. Despair clutched at her heart as hope began to slip away like sand through her fingers.
But Sonic wouldn’t let that happen. He gripped her hand tighter, determination in his eyes once more. “We’re fighters, Vertera. We’ve overcome too much to stop now. We’ll find a way, I promise.”
Holding onto those words, Vertera took a breath, summoning strength from deep within. She was not done yet. They would stand together against the shadows, and even if hope felt distant, they would fight, for each other and for the future that still could be.
As they prepared to face whatever lay ahead, Vertera reminded herself: there was always hope to be found, even in the darkest of times. And together, they would ignite a spark to light the way forward.
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Sonic Forces: A Pink Rabbit's First War!
Adventure16-year-old Vertera is a happy girl and she loves to bake. She has finished running her baking store and is about to close it, but something horrible happens to Mobius. Now she'll do anything to stop the war, and Sonic and his friends will help her...
