Jayde the Hedgehog • Negative Rebound [4]

25 • The Truth of the Elders ✔️

Music: Monster (Rework) -DotEXE

Unnamed Village

Raiden led Sonia through the village where he grew up, nodding and smiling to a few familiar faces. Even though the villagers knew he'd done wrong, after seeing his dramatic improvement, they welcomed him with open arms. There are a few who still dislike the fox, but he doesn't worry about them – he does his job without question.

Sonia looked around as they came to a large shrine, four podiums standing around the outside with gems encrusted on top and Latin writing was written on them from billions of years ago. They looked incredible!

"Oh," Raiden paused, "I should warn you, the eldest doesn't have much emotion, so if she looks as if she's judging you, don't worry about it. It's just the way she is."

"Why?" the hedgehog asked, watching as her companion walked up to the back wall.

The red fox shrugged, pushing in a stone on the wall, allowing the cave to be revealed, "I think it's because she was alone for a long time without anyone."

They walked in, the tunnel being lit by torches. Drawings and carving were on the walls, each telling the story of the elders and their past life. Sonia was amazed – she had never seen something like this before. In all honesty, she felt like an explorer!

Raiden waved away a few glow bugs, "They might question why you're with me, so just follow my lead." The hedgehog nodded before they walked through a small opening, revealing a massive room. The walls were decorated with more stories, all the way around and up over head. Sonia twirled, looking up and around, leaving the fox to chuckle at her behavior, having done the same thing the first time. Her eyes caught sight of three Mobian looking animals, their eyes watching the two outsiders.

"Twilight." The female who sat in the middle called, and an orange echidna jumped down from above, startling the pink female.

Raiden walked in front of them before kneeling before them, bowing his head. Sonia copied, not wanting to show any disrespect, "Rise, Warrior, you have no need for formalities. You've done much for us." A male spoke, his head buried under a jacket.

"Ah, you know me Nano, I always like to show respect." Raiden joked. This surprised Sonia slightly, should he be this confident around them?

The orange echidna stepped down the stairs and walked around the newcomer. She studied Sonia for a bit before turning to Raiden, "Is she your girlfriend?" she blurted out.

Sonia looked startled at her judgement, but Raiden flushed, "No! We are just friends!"

Twilight snickered, but the female sat above them shook her head, "Please excuse Twilight, she is new to this whole tribulation." She spoke, before asking, "Whom have you brought with you, Warrior?"

Raiden smiled and presented the hedgehog to them, "Elders, this is Sonia-"

The final elder interrupted Raiden, the cheater's face showing shock, "Wait, Sonia? As in, Sonic the Hedgehog's sibling?"

The pink female nodded, "That's me!"

"Whoa! This is so cool!" Twilight giggled, "We have a hero in our home!"

The middle female sighed, "Honestly, your manners are despicable!" Twilight simply turned away before slumping down on her throne-like seat. The female stood and walked down to the Mobians, eyes watching the hedgehog as she fidgeted under her gaze, "Hello, I am Agatha, the first Elder."

Sonia bowed her head, "Pleasure to meet you."

The male cheater jumped down from his throne beside them, his tail twisting. He stood, grabbing Sonia's hand and kissing it, "I am Carter. I'm happy to meet a real hero for once."