Cory in the House: Trials of the Earth (Season 2)

Haunted

The gang walked out of Vegas, heading back to DC. The president had summoned them back in order to inform them of the latest news. Cory still didn't want to use the emerald to teleport.

"why the heck are you not using the teleport emerald. We are not walking all the way across the continent." espio said, angry.

"because I don't want to."

Espio groaned and began walking away.

"where are you going?" Cory asked.

"finding us transportation, fool."

Cory looked down, the only competent one was not leaving them.

Espio walked on and on until he found some warehouse in the middle of the desert. He shrugged, maybe there will be some sort of vehicle in there.

He entered the building, only seeing crates everywhere. He walked in between the crates, searching for something that could help him. He turned a corner, seeing someone dash past him. Espio pulled out his Shurikens, looking for the person. Staying alert, he continued on, not knowing exactly where he was going. A flash of red caught his eye. He continued toward the red object, only to find himself at a dead end, surrounded by crates.

As he turned around, a figure dashed from his view behind him. Espio chased after the figure around the corner, but didn't see anything. He decided climbing the crates would give him a better vantage point.

As he reached the top, he realized just how big this place was. It must have been at least the size of a football field, probably twice the size. It was filled to the brim with crates. Everywhere he looked he saw crates.

Not seeing any vehicle, he decided to leave. As he looked in the doorway, he saw him. Zero.

Words echoed in his head, "I'll be watching..." espio ran to the doorway, only to find him gone. Outside, he saw no trace of zero or anyone got that matter. He was alone. After a few hours, he found the gang in the middle of the Mohave.

"where'd you go, man?" silver asked.

"I didn't find anything."

"well, at least you're back." Cory said.

"shut it."

They camped in the Mojave for the night. Cory got bitten by a rattlesnake and stuff. Espio stayed awake all night, looking for zero. He knew he was out there, but where? He was always watching.

It was around 2 am when espio saw him again. He quickly woke up Cory and pointed at the desert. In the middle of two hills stood zero, his eyes glowed in the night. Cory looked close.

"I can't see anything, what are you pointing at?"

"it's zero you idiot, he's stalking us."

"i don't see anyone, maybe you need some sleep, Baka senpai."

"dont call me that. I see him. It's the real zero. I'll go over there and prove it." with that, espio got up and went toward the two hills, as he approached them, zero disappeared. Espio, for the first time in his life, was astonished.

He went back to camp. Maybe he was hallucinating. Maybe he had a problem. He was too fixed on that reploid that he couldn't even concentrate. Every moment felt like another tick toward his inevitable doom. Any moment he could strike, and any moment espio could die. He needed to stay alert.

3 days later, espio had not gotten any sleep and was still alert at all times. Cory became worried for him, he was the only competent one in the group.

"espio you need sleep," Cory said.

"no. I don't. I need to stay alert. Who knows when that red reploid will strike again?"

Cory walked away, giving up on espio. Espio continued to stay awake for almost a week. On day six, he couldnt focus on anything except being on lookout. It was then that it hit him. Zero could be disguised as any one of his "friends."

He couldn't trust anyone. Everyone could be zero. Every single person pm earth could be zero. Did zero even exist, or was he just an illusion? Espio abandoned the gang at that moment, walking away into the Mojave with nothing but his weapons. Cory and the gang didn't notice until days later.

He continued onward for miles into the desert, not seeing anything but rattlesnakes and cactuses. Eventually he ran into a lot my time abandoned house. Decay showed its face on the house. Every window was broken and the walls were covered in desert flora.

Espio walked through the house, looking everywhere for evidence of zero. He felt a sudden surge of heat, his entire body fell to the ground, he thought this was the end. Zero had found him. His vision went dark. Everything blured. He felt two figures approach.

"what should I do with him?" one said.

"you know exactly what to do. He's not one of them, you know."

"but that man... he said..."

"he was wrong."

"alright... I'll do it... x.... " everything went to black.

Espio woke up in the front seat of a bus. The bus was turned on and was I'm some sort of garage. He looked at his watch. 5 hours had passed. He groaned and looked down at the controls. He had found a vehicle.

He drove off toward the gang, parking next to them.

"I found a vehicle." he simply said.

"woah cool, a bus. I love bus."

"shut up Cory."

Everyone got on the bus and they headed for DC. Dark clouds loomed in the distance. The final battle was soon to come. Along the way they had made many Allies, lost many, and made many enemies. One emerald remains unfound. Soon it shall be unearthed.