Altered Destiny A Sonic FanFic by Keith Aksland The entire story and everyone in it are protected under copyright laws. You can distribute it if you want, but change a word, and the copyright lawyers'll hunt you down and make *sure* you get audited from now 'till Doomsday! Also, any attempt to make money off this story (Yeah, sure!:))will be responded with either an arrest warrant, or an E-mail message demanding a cut,depending on how much $$$ is made. :) Sonic the Hedgehog, Sally, and all other related characters are copyrights of SEGA, DIC, and Archie Comic Publications, except for the following:Packbell, Bookshire Draftwood, and Sandra Nightweaver -- David Pistone Keith, Chris, Sasha, and Rebecca -- Keith Aksland Author's Note: Ya, I know it's tacky as all heck to shove yourself into a fanfic, but I figured, if I'm gonna do my first fanfic, why not put in a character I already know, and tweak his personality a bit? (Okay, a lot, but understand, I'm not as far gone as I am in the story, so no email containing the numbers of local shrinks, please? BTW, there is very little humor in the story, but I'll try to cram some in here and there, so it doesn't look like a certain Mr. S. King wrote it.) Anyway, on with the story. Music credits: Lifting Shadows off a Dream and The Silent Man are the property of Dream Theater, Wherever I May Roam is Metallica's, A Tout le Monde is owned by Megadeth, and My Little Man is property of Ozzy Osbourne. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prologue: Choose Your Destiny Mobius -- Knothole, Year 3238 - Spring The sun rose to find the little village of Knothole bustling with activity. Princess Sally, of the Royal House of Acorn, was in the war room with her most trusted friends, mapping out their next mission. "OK. Sonic, you and Bunnie will set the charges in the main refinery here, here, here, and here." She pointed out each target as she talked. "You'll have about a minute and a half to set as many as you can. Each of you has 30 charges, so we'll be assured at least heavy damage. When you're done, report in. I'll give you 45 seconds to clear out, and then I'll detonate. OK, people," she said as she stood up, "let's move. * * * * * Earth -- Manteca, California, AD 1996. 4:26 AM Keith Aksland was never one forpeaceful sleep, and tonight was no exception. But this wasn't one of his normal mightmares... He was standing on a black, featureless field. Surrounding him were horrible images, but the worst part was that they all had to do with him. A female voice drifted seemingly out of nowhere. "Look, Keith. These are your destinies. You cannot escape you future, no matter how hard you try." "NOOOOOOO!!! No, this can't be right!!!" The images played over and over, each one as grim and disturbing as the others. Here, he followed his dreams, and went to Seattle to study art. He was killed in a drive-by shooting. There, he stayed home, and died in the hospital after getting a knife shoved in his gut. No matter where he looked, he died a meaningless death,just another statistic. Keith looked up, his eyes pleading. "It doesn't have to be this way, does it? I don't want to leave like this, not after all I want for my life!" "If you stay here, this will be your fate. This is what fate has written for you on this world." "What do you mean, 'on this world?'" "Before I tell you, what is it you want more than anything?" The question took Keith by surprise. Then, a determined look spread across his face. "What do I want? What I want is to be able to make a difference, to leave my mark on the world." Disgusted, he waved his hand, indicating the images around him, still playing out their grisly fates. "But, since that ain't gonna happen here, I'm guessing you have another option in mind." "Only if you decide you want it. I can send you away to a place where you can make a difference. But, it will mean giving up everything you have ever held dear." He thought a moment, thinking of Melissa, the only girl he ever truly loved. Then he remembered that she never loved him back, that she had already had a boyfriend. His eyes hardened. "Fine.Just give me some time to prepare." "When you're ready, just say the word." Back in the real world, Keith slowly shook the sleep from his mind, then remembered what had transpired in his dreams. What the hell, he thought, it can't be any worse than here. Quickly, he got dressed, grabbed his journal, which he always kept next to him, stuffed a few things in his satchel, put on his silver ring, and said, "All right, I'm ready. Let's do it." As soon as he finished speaking, a silvery glow enveloped him, and he disappeared from this world, never to return. Chapter 1: The New Arrival Mobius, later that day. Sandra Nightweaver was scouting through the Great Forest,looking for something to add to her maps, when something flared bright silver off about 30 yards to her left. She hurried over, hoping to find something slavageable, and saw a young human, lying sprawled underneath a large elm tree. As he knelt beside him, he looked up, his eyes unfocused. He was barely conscious. He almost seemed to recognize her. "M-Melissa? H-how'd you... get he...." He slumped back to the ground as he lost consciosness. Sandra decided to take him back to Knothole. They could do far more for him than she. * * * * * The Freedom Fighters had just returned from a successful mission, when they saw Sandra walk into the clearing, dragging a litter behind her. The entire village was silent. All eyes were upon her as she dumped the unconscious body of a large male human onto the ground. "I found him out in the forest. He's still alive. I thought maybe you could do something for him." Witht hat, she turned and disappeared into the forest. The villagers gathered around the stranger. There were mixed opinions over what should be done with him. "He's hurt. We ought to help him." "Bah, he's human. He's probably just like Robotnik." "Yeah. We should just kill him now and get it over with." This opinion was met with approval by many of the gathered Freedom Fighters. "STOP!!!" All eyes turned to Princess Sally. She stood tall, hands at her hips, every bit of her regal heritage shining through her eyes. She glared at the gathered crowd. "You talk about killing him, and you don't even know him! I can't believe you people. With attitudes like that, you don't deserve the name 'Freedom Fighters'. Bookshire, take him back to your office and see what you can do for him. I'll be there shortly." Cries of protest went up from the crowd. "That is an order!!!" She spun on her heel and stalked off. * * * * * "Ohhhhh, my head! I feel like... I... just..." His voice trailed off as he noticed the strange creatures (animals?) standing over him. When his brain finally caught up with the situation, it did the only thing it knew to do. Princess Sally started as the boy's pupils contracted and his hands clutched the bedframe with enough force to crack the strong ashwood. He then began to convulse, curling up like a small child. "What's wrong? What's happening?" The boy struggled to speak through clenched teeth. "S-seizure. I need... ph-pheno... phenobarb..." was all he managed to gasp before he started flopping around, his muscles totally out of control. Bookshire hurried over with a syringe. He plunged the needle into the boy's neck as soon as he found a chance. Just a few seconds later, the boy's spasms eased. "Thanks," he croaked. "Sorry about that. But, think of the shock I've just had." He grinned weakly. "I'll be right with you... just... as soon... as I..." He slid into a peaceful (and dreamless) sleep. "Ahem, yes, well, um, Bookshire, could you page me when he wakes up? I'll be needing to talk with him. Thanks." * * * * * "Well, Princess, I don't know how I can help, but I'll do the best I can to see that bastard six feet under." Sally had just spent the last hour bringing the human (Keith his name is Keith) up to speed on what had happened to make their war necessary. She had watched his face very closely as she talked, looking for some signs of familiarity. All she saw, however, was shock, but that soon faded to anger, determination, and grim resolve. Sally smiled. "That's all we ask of anyone here. Now, what happened back there? Was it some kind of illness?" "Oh. That." Keith's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to worry you. That was just another shadow from the past, come back to haunt me. But I'm not making sense. Okay, here goes. You know what epilepsy is, right?" Recieving a nod, he went on. "Well, I have a history of it. What you saw was my grand mal stage, which I thought I outgrew long ago. But, then, waking up to see two totally alien, sorry, alien to me, creatures hovering over me? Talk about a shock to the system! But I'm pretty much over it now, so I doubt you'll have any more problems in that area." "Good. Now, is there anything you'd like to tell me about yourself? Any special skills, hobbies, interests that might help us?" "OK, let's see. First, I have been tested as highly intelligent (but I hate talking about it, I always sound like I'm bragging.), I love fooling with computers (total net-freak), and I just got my black belt in martial arts (Still think I need practice). But, by nature, I am merely an artist (though I just love giving hell to people I don't like). That about does it." "Well, I think that you'll make a good addition to the Freedom Fighters. But, I think we'll wait on giving you a mission, at least until you get a chance to settle in." They both stood up and shook hands. "Thank you, Princess. I'm glad I'll be able to help. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll be off." "Off? Where?" "Well, like I said, I think I need some practice, so I guess that's what I'm gonna do." "Well, all right, but please, don't go too far. There are still some things that need settling, like sleeping arrangements." Keith waved his hand dismissively. "Bah, don't worry about that. Just point me to the nearest couch, and I'll be happy." He smirked, and chuckled. "And don't worry, mother, I won't stray too far from the den." He walked out, laughing. Sally had to fight to keep the smile from tugging at her mouth. He is so like Sonic! Chapter 2: Sins of the Father... His mood became much more serious as he wandered through the forest, looking for the most tranquil spot he could find. He came upon a large pond in the middle of a clearing in the woods. It was the perfect spot. He unstrapped his sandals, did some warm up stretches, and then began to practice his kata. He punched, leapt, rolled, kicked, spun, and blocked as he fended off his imaginary opponents. He was so focused on what he was doing that he never noticed the three shadows watching him from behind a nearby grove. When he finished the final set of moves, he bowed to his imaginary (and probably hurting) opponents, and then opened his eyes. Immediately he noticed the three figures. "Yes? Is there something I can help you with?" The shadows stepped out into the light. They were big and they were brawny. One appeared to be a badger, one was a warthog, and the third, and probably the leader, was a large red bull. The warthog chuckled. "Yeah," he said, "You can 'help' us by getting your worthless [ bleep ] back to Robotropolis before we do it for you." Keith was a little confused. "Robo... Oh, I see. Um, well, I didn't come from there, and I have no intention of going back, unless it's to cause a little mayhem." The badger made a show of cracking his knuckles. "Oh, but it seems that there'll be a little 'mayhem' right here. Now, we're gonna ask you one more time, are you gonna leave, or do we have to 'eject' you?" "Listen." Oddly enough, Keith voice carried no anger, just some kind of weariness, as if talk of fighting made him extremely tired. "I know Robotnik and Snively are the only humans on Mobius, or were, and let me tell you, they have pretty much screwed over our reputation. I know you hate me because I'm human, but I am not going to fight you, and that is that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be headed back to Knothole." He tried to walk past the trio, but the bull caught his shoulder and shoved him back. Keith then stared at the bull. "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to fight you. Got it? Pretty simple concept, don't you think? Now, let me pass." All three made mock crying noises. The warthog spoke in that condescending baby-voice that could piss off Barney (tm). "Awwwww, is da widdle human gonna run back to Robotnik 'cuz da big bad Mobians is scawing him? Awwwww!" Keith snorted. "At least I have the intelligence to judge someone by their actions, not who they are. " Now, if you'll excuse me, my actions will take me somewhere where I can get a drink. Care to join me?" "Yeah. You can buy us a drink. If you wake up." All three proceeded to pull out large, heavy clubs. Keith sighed, as if in deep sorrow. "Allright, dammit. You're so phracking hungry for pain, fine. I'll fight you. But, a word of warning. If you dance with fire, you're bound to get burned. How badly you're burned depends on how stupid you are." With a loud roar, the bull charged, swinging his club in a downstroke that would surely have killed the young human, had he not sidestepped. Keith then grabbed the bull's wrist and elbow, and pulled. The bull was thrown forward on his face, but Keith didn't let go. "Are you happy now?" He almost screamed. "Are you happy, now that I'm down at your level?! I don't wan't any trouble, but it's people like you," as he said "You," he twisted the arm he was holding, bringing considerable pain to its owner, "that just can't seem to get it through their thick skulls. Are you getting this?!" As he was doing this, he didn't notice the other two drop their weapons and run off. A few minutes later, he released his opponent. He was just turning to walk away, when he felt two hands clamp down on his shoulders; one flesh, one, cold steel. "Ah don't think so, sugah. Y'all ain't goin' nowhere." He turned his head to see who had him. He saw a rabbit whom he would later find out was called Bunnie, but worst of all, Princess Sally stood behind her, eyes full of tears. The look she gave him spoke loud and clear. "How could you?! I put my faith in you, and look what you go and do!" * * * * * "Look, Sally, I'm sure that somewhere in this technological paradise you have some kind of polygraph machine, or some other kind of lie detector. You have the wrong story!" Once more, Keith's eyes were pleading, pleading for a chance to be heard. "What do I need to see? I hear you're beating one of our citizens senseless, we get here to find you teaching him new levels of pain, what else is there to say?" Keith blew out an irritated breath. "That perhaps you have the wrong story. Y'ever think of that? Hm? Maybe all your years of gut-instinct are wrong! Think about that, Sally." "You will call me Princess, human. You have lost your right to call me by my name." Keith regarded the Princess in deep disgust. "Forget it. There's no getting through to you. I might as well talk to the walls. In fact, why don't I? Much better listeners." With that, he turned his back on the Princess. "Don't let the door slam on your tail on the way out." Sally, furious, stormed out. * * * * * The next morning, the entire village was gathered in the town square to witness the trial. Princess Sally took her place on the podium, and called, "Bring forth the prisoner!!!" All heads turned to the jail, and a gasp of astonishment rose from the crowd as they saw the human, not being dragged across the ground, as one would expect, but actually walking towards his place, almost dragging the guards behind him. His eyes were closed, but he seemed to be able to tell where he was going. He stopped just in front of the podium. "Open your eyes, Keith. I want you to look me in my face." The boy complied, but what surprised Sally the most was the abject lack of the blazing anger, or the pathetic pleas for mercy. In fact, all she saw in those shining hazel orbs was pity. Pity for what, she did not know. Sally rapped the royal scepter on the podium to bring the trial to order. She pointed at Keith. "You have been charged with assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and the willful infliction of harm to a Freedom Fighter. How do you plead?" Keith said nothing. "How do you plead?!" One of the guards poked him. "Answer her!" Keith took a deep breath, as if calling upon some hidden store of courage. "Your Highness, before myself, before God, the world, and the court, I plead not guilty to all of the charges." The crowd started to protest, but then Keith whipped his head around, and faced the throng with blazing eyes. "I'M NOT FINISHED!!!" He roared. They shut up. He turned back around, and faced Princess Sally. "I plead not guilty because you, all of you, are guilty of a gross miscarriage of justice. I have asked repeatedly that my alibi be verified. I've been turned down. I'm not on trial for those petty crimes. They're just an excuse. You all know why I'm here, why I'm really on trial." "And why would that be?" Sally was bewildered, and she wanted desperately to hear more. "Don't be a fool, Princess. I'm on trial because I'm human, and you think that because of this, you can stick all the things he's done on me. A human. Well, all I have to say to that is shove it. Yeah, that's right. Shove it. I'm guilty, sure. Guilty of being human, being the representation of all that's screwed up in your lives. Whether I'm found guilty of this crime or not, it doesn't matter. You'll just find more excuses to stick me back up here. So, I might as well head back to jail. Seems I'm gonna be spending some time there." He started to walk back to his cell, but then he stopped. "Better yet..." In a sudden motion, he grabbed a nearby guard's sword, yanked it out of the scabbard, and held it out, hilt first, to Sally, who gingerly took it. "Just end it all here, because I sure as hell don't want to live my life constantly watching my back." He tore open his shirt, turned his head, and closed his eyes. When nothing happened, he opened them again, and looked back at Sally. She was just standing there, eyes wide. He made a funny sound, and got to his feet. "Well then, it looks like there's a future for this place after all." With that, he turned and walked away. The guards started to chase him. "Stop." They turned to see Sally, her face drawn, holding up her hand. "Let him go." Chapter 3: Realizations "Sal, are you sure he went this way?" "I don't know, Sonic. This way's just as good as any." "Sssshhh, you two! Listen!" Bookshire waved a hand at the other two, and cocked his head. "What is it, Bookshire?" "Listen to that! It sounds like... singing!" And sure enough, it was. As they got closer, they could make out words. It was a sad, haunting melody. They paused for a minute to listen. A question well served, "Is silence like a fever? A voice never heard, Or a message with no reciever?" Pray they won't ask Behind the stained glass, There's always one more mask. Has man been a victim? Of his woman? Of his father? If he elects not to bother, Will he suffocate the faith? Desperate to fall Behind the great wall That separates us all. When there is reason, Tonight I'm awake. When there's no answer, Arrive the Silent Man. If there is balance, Tonight he's awake. But if they have to suffer, There lies the Silent Man. Sin without decievers, A god with no believers. I could sail by on the winds of Silence, And maybe they won't notice, But this time I think It'd be better if I swim. When there is reason, Tonight I'm awake. When there's no answer, Arrive the Silent Man. If there is balance, Tonight he's awake. But if they have to suffer, There lies the Silent Man, There lies the Silent Man. They quietly walked in the direction of his voice, and finally saw him sitting on a rock that was overlooking Starlight Pond. As they crept closer, they could see that his eyes were closed. A single tear leaked out from behind his eyelid, and he bowed his head. Sally felt a wave of pity wash over her. "He looks so sad," she whispered to Bookshire, "I wonder why he's crying?" "I'm crying because I left my home in order to escape the raging hatred that permeated it, and came here to find the same damn thing. It makes me wonder how any sentient race can survive when they seem to want to bring all their problems down on someone else." Sally started as she heard him speak. She didn't think he could hear them. He turned around and regarded the three. "I'm glad you came by. I was getting kinda starved for company. Please," he patted the rock he was sitting on, "come sit with me. There are some things we need to discuss." After they had gotten situated, he looked at the water. "This is a beautiful place. There was never anything like it back home." Bookshire looked up at him. "Just where exactly is your home? Is it somewhere in the Great Unknown?" Keith turned to look at the aging raccoon, then gazed up at the stars. "Yes, but not the Great Unknown you may be thinking of." He swept his arm, indicating the night sky. "My home may be spinning around one of those stars out there. It makes me feel kinda funny, knowing that I'll never see my family again." He shook his head. "But what am I saying? I'm here now, and that's all that matters." Sally took it upon herself to ask the million-dollar question. "Just how did you get here, anyway?" Keith bowed his head, and took a deep breath. "That, Princess, is a long story." He proceeded to tell them of his world, his life in it, and his fateful dream. "Oh, my gosh, I can't believe it!" "Believe it, Princess. It's the only story I have, and it's the only truth." Sonic was still confused. "But why'd ya wanna come here? I mean, life here's a major drag, with Robuttnik and all." "That may be, Sonic, but at least here I can do something with my life, other than just lie down and wait to die. Here, at least, I can find purpose in my life. Here, I can make a difference. There, I was just another face in the crowd. I'd rather be fighting against a tyrant than fighting against my own inner demons." "Well, you'll always have a home with us. Please, come back to Knothole." Keith shook his head. "Not yet. There are still some things I need to work out. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay out here for a while. See you in the morning." With that, he turned back to the pond. Sally laid her hand on his shoulder, then got up and left. The others followed suit. Soon, there was just the one human gazing out over the crystal waters. * * * * * "Oh, no. Not again." With one look, Keith knew where he was. He was back on the same featureless, barren plain that he was at when the Voice (It had already achieved proper noun status in Keith's mind) sent him to Mobius. "You handled that incident well. I am proud of you. You managed to show them that things aren't always what they seem. But, I fear, your greatest task lies ahead, and you may not live to see the end result." The Voice seemed almost sad at this prospect. "What are you talking about? And just who the hell are you?! I'm tired of talking to nothing, and I know you have a face to go with that voice. So why don't you just show yourself and get it over with?" "Hell has nothing to do with it. There is no such place on Mobius. Still, I think I'll answer your last question first." And out of nowhere in particular stepped a beautiful silver-haired woman, dressed in robes of blue and white. There was an amused smile on her face. "Next, I go by many guises, but here I am known as Destiny. On your planet, I went by many names, but the one I am most partial to is Gaia. And as for your first question, take a look." With a wave of her hand, more of the images sprang up. Some did indeed show his death, but not like on Earth. Here, he either died in battle, fighting to protect his friends. But some of the images were fuzzy and indistinct. "What's going on there?" Destiny frowned. "I'm not sure. Fate is rather fickle. Even I don't know all of the things that can happen to you while you're here. Anyway," she waved again, and the images disappeared, "what I brought you here for was to congratulate you on your achievements, which I did, and to give you a little something to aid you here on Mobius. Here." A silver aura lit up Keith's left forearm for a second. When it faded, there was what looked like a microcomputer strapped to his arm. "What is this?" Keith's eyes lit up. (Author's note: Keith loves technological achievements, and will drop whatever he's doing to get a "new toy.") He ran his hands across the top of the computer with an almost reverent awe. Destiny smiled. "Not what. Who. Her name is Sasha, and I'd best leave the rest to her. Sasha, introduce yourself." The small monitor on the front of the computer lit up. "HELLO, KEITH," it said, in a slightly high-pitched, pleasant female voice. "MY NAME IS SASHA, AND I HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO YOU AS A... SORT OF GUIDE TO YOUR NEW HOME. I HAVE DETAILED ARCHIVES ON THE WORLD OF MOBIUS, FROM ANCIENT LORE TO DETAILED MAPS OF 'INTEREST AREAS.' I ALSO HAVE A FULL SELECTION OF MUSIC FROM YOUR WORLD, JUST IN CASE YOU FEEL HOMESICK." "Hmm, I doubt that I'll be too homesick, but I think that archive might get quite a bit of use." "Sasha is fully self-aware, and, if you like, can jack you into cyberspace like any other good system here. If you wish, I can put a 'cyberjack', as you call it, on your arm so you can mentally connect with Sasha, and basically any other machine that supports an interface cable. It may cause some discomfort, though." "Hey, sounds great. Go ahead." Hs steeled himself for the pain he knew would come. He expected pain. What he didn't expect was to feel a hole dig itself into his arm. When the hole was deep enough, he felt a white-hot jet of fire streak up his arm, and directly into his brain, where it seemed to get hotter, and then disappear altogether. When he looked down, he saw a small hole, which resembled a headphone jack, just past his elbow. Annoyed, he glared at Destiny. "Some discomfort?! Felt like someone'd lit my brain on fire!! Jeez!!! Okay, what now?" "Now, you wake up. I think you'll find the people of Knothole to be a bit less judgmental." "What'd you do?" Keith was rather suspicious. He was sure that Destiny had messed with their heads. Much as the thought appealed to him, he still didn't like the idea. "I did nothing. You, however, gave them one serious wakeup call. You'll see. Now, it's time for you to go." Chapter 4: A New Player "...And that's it. So," Keith said, standing up, "what shall we do next?" He had just spent the past half hour relating to Sally, Sonic, and Bunnie just what had happened the previous night. Bunnie, who had no idea what happened after he walked away from the trial, was quickly filled in by Sonic. "So that's it? Y'all come here, ya give us that there dressin'-down, an' now y'expect us ta jus' trust ya like nuthin' happened?" Keith gazed at Bunnie solemnly. "No. I don't expect you to go on as if it were nothing. It was a big thing, I know. But, you have to understand. One of the reasons I came here in the first place was to escape all the stereotypes, the judgment, all that 'sins of the father' [ bleep ] that has become a way of life on my planet. The other, to do exactly what I'm doing now, offering my services in order to help win back your world. Now, do you understand?" "Ah understand. It'll take some time to get used ta it, but ah understand." Bunnie did. The first few weeks after her partial roboticization were worse than any torture that she could have conceived. She knew how it was, to bear the sorrow and frustration on her shoulders. Over time, they accepted her, and realized that there was still a living heart in her chest. But she never forgot the lessons those weeks taught her. Keith smiled. "Good. I am glad to meet you, Bunnie, and I hope I can be as good a friend as these two." He offered his hand. Bunnie was surprised at the sudden gesture of friendship, but then she grinned and took it. "Well, all right then, sugah. Let's go get that fat boy!" * * * * * "Remember the plan? Bunnie and Sonic, set the charges. Keith you and... Sasha cut the alarms. Two minutes, and I'll fire. Ready? Go!" Sonic dashed off, with Bunnie in tow. Keith hooked Sasha into the security alarms via a small comm terminal that was nearby. When he got the signal from Sasha, he flashed the thumbs-up to Sally. * * * * * "Sir, the security system in sector Alpha-3 has been shut down. It may be a power surge, but... ack!" This last part was said as Dr. Robotnik yanked Snively up by his collar. With a look that had the penetration power of a cutting laser, Robotnik whispered. "But it's probably the hedgehog. I hope you're right, though, Snively. If the hedgehog gets to that communications relay, you will be delivering those messages on foot. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" "